Direction of Electric field (EM induction)

Click For Summary
When a wire is pulled to the right, the direction of the electric field within the wire is downward. The confusion arises from whether to consider the moving charges as positive or negative, impacting the current's direction. Electrons, which are the mobile charge carriers, move to the right, while the conventional current direction is considered as if positive charges were moving. It's important to note that without a complete circuit, there is no established current in the wire. Understanding the forces acting on the charges is crucial for analyzing the resulting electric field direction.
Rod Alexei
Messages
29
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


In which direction would the electric field in the wire point if the wire were pulled to the right?
p62.png

Homework Equations


Right hand rule
F=qvXB

The Attempt at a Solution


My answer is downward. I am confused whether I should take the moving charges as positive or negative since this would determine the direction of the current.
I know that the direction of the current is the same as the electric field. (for positive)
Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • p62.png
    p62.png
    10.9 KB · Views: 389
Physics news on Phys.org
Rod Alexei said:
I am confused whether I should take the moving charges as positive or negative since this would determine the direction of the current.
Which particles are mobile? Electrons or protons?
 
Electrons. But we take the convention of moving "positive charges"
 
There is no "current" in this wire as there is no complete circuit. Protons and electrons both are moving towards right as the wire is dragged. What is the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on both the particles? What will happen because of these forces?
 
Thread 'Correct statement about size of wire to produce larger extension'

Thread 'Correct statement about size of wire to produce larger extension'

The answer is (B) but I don't really understand why. Based on formula of Young Modulus: $$x=\frac{FL}{AE}$$ The second wire made of the same material so it means they have same Young Modulus. Larger extension means larger value of ##x## so to get larger value of ##x## we can increase ##F## and ##L## and decrease ##A## I am not sure whether there is change in ##F## for first and second wire so I will just assume ##F## does not change. It leaves (B) and (C) as possible options so why is (C)...
View full post »

Similar threads

Confused about direction of electric field
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Direction of electric field vector on the surface of charged conductor
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Why does electric potential energy increase if you move against the field?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Capacitors, equipotentials, and electric fields
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Why is magnetic field B along a straight wire circular not radial?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Why Does the Electric Field Sum Instead of Cancel with Opposite Charges?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Direction and magnitude of electric field produced by current change
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
The sign of the change in potential
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
831
Why Is Work Positive When Done Against the Electric Field?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
Electric Field Inside Cylindrical Capacitor
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K