Measuring Earth's Magnetic Field: Opposite Currents, Opposite Deflections?

[negat1ve]

The point of the lab was to determine the vert comp of the Earth's mag field by measuring the deflection of a current-carrying wire stretched between 2 supports.

I took measurements of the deflection with the current flowing in one direction and my partner did the same but with the current flowing in the opposite direction. I just realized this now. Would the wire bend in opposite directions based on each direction of the current. I'm thinking yes but never witnessed this not realizing while the experiment was taking place.

So could I say the wire has a positive deflection with one direction and a negative deflection with the opposite direction of current?

 

[jbsteele]

Yes, you can say that the wire has a positive deflection with one direction of current and a negative deflection with the opposite direction of current. This is because the direction of the current will determine the direction of the force that is being applied to the wire, which in turn will determine the direction of the wire's deflection.

 

[nlightner]

Yes, it is possible for a wire to experience opposite deflections when carrying current in different directions. This is due to the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and the current in the wire. The Earth's magnetic field creates a force on the wire, causing it to deflect. When the current is flowing in one direction, the force and resulting deflection will be in one direction, and when the current is flowing in the opposite direction, the force and deflection will be in the opposite direction. Therefore, it is correct to say that the wire experiences a positive deflection with one direction of current and a negative deflection with the opposite direction of current. This is an important concept to keep in mind when conducting experiments in which the Earth's magnetic field may be a factor.