Loop of wire is connected to the terminals of a battery

[longcatislong]

Homework Statement

A loop of wire is connected to the terminals of a battery.
See Diagram: http://www.webassign.net/walker/22-35.gif

The A terminal is of higher voltage, so the current travels clockwise from A to B through the loop.

If you have the ability to send whatever current you like (or none at all) into this wire loop, how can you affect the nearby bar magnet?
(Select all that apply.)
a) leave the magnet alone
b) repel the magnet
c) attract the magnet

Homework Equations

n/a -- conceptual question.

The Attempt at a Solution

so, my thought is that you a current through the loop if you EITHER attract or repel the magnet and move it through the loop. If you leave it alone, there will be no current.

I've tried selecting B) and C) but that's wrong.
Are choices A) B) and C) all correct?

 

[anathema]

No, choices B) and C) are not all correct. The correct answer is A) leave the magnet alone. When a current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field around the wire. This magnetic field will interact with the magnetic field of the bar magnet, causing the magnet to either be attracted or repelled depending on the direction of the current. However, if there is no current flowing through the wire, there will be no magnetic field and therefore no interaction with the magnet.