Magnetism: I Need Help Understanding the Hand Rule!

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the hand rule in the context of magnetism, specifically related to the direction of current and magnetic fields. Participants express confusion regarding the application of this rule in various scenarios, including induced current.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants inquire about the specifics of the hand rule, including its application to induced current and the relationship between current direction and magnetic fields. There are attempts to clarify how to visualize and apply the rule in different contexts.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing insights and attempting to clarify the hand rule's application. Some guidance has been provided regarding the relationship between current and magnetic fields, but there remains a lack of consensus on the best approach to understand induced current specifically.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of understanding, indicating a need for further clarification on the hand rule and its implications in different magnetic scenarios. There may be assumptions about prior knowledge that are not explicitly stated.

St@rbury
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Magnetism! Help!

can someone please explain the hand rule thing to me...i am dead lost when teacher is explaining it. All i know is that your thumb is N and the bottom of your hand is S...please help!
 
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Err, your thumb points in the direction of positive current, and your fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field.
 
what about finding the direction of induced current?
 
Whatever change in magnetic flux there is, the induced current will make a magnetic field to counter that change in flux.
 
i mean using the hand rule...how do i do it?
 
Curl your fingers around a wire and point your thumb in the direction of current. Then curl your fingers around the wire in a way that you're opposing the change in flux. Your thumb will be in the direction of the induced current.
 

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