Understanding Conventional Current and the Right Hand Rule for B-Field Direction

  • Thread starter Thread starter learning_phys
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Current
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the conventions of current flow and the application of the right-hand rule for determining the direction of the magnetic field (B-field). It establishes that conventional current flows from negative to positive, while voltage is a fixed quantity that does not flow. The right-hand rule is used to ascertain the B-field direction based on the established current flow convention. This understanding is crucial for accurately interpreting electromagnetic principles in circuit analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conventional current flow
  • Familiarity with the right-hand rule in electromagnetism
  • Basic knowledge of voltage and its role in circuits
  • Concept of time-invariant circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the right-hand rule in various electromagnetic scenarios
  • Explore the differences between conventional current and electron flow
  • Investigate time-invariant circuit analysis techniques
  • Learn about the implications of voltage in circuit design and analysis
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in electrical engineering, physics educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of electromagnetic theory and circuit analysis.

learning_phys
Messages
74
Reaction score
0
My text shows current flowing from negative to positive, and also uses the right hand rule to get the B-field this way. I always thought convention was to flow from positive to negative, and also the b-field followed this convention as well. Any comments?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
As I recall, the convention is that current will flow from negative to positive while potential (voltage) will flow from positive from negative.
 
Current always flows from positive to negative voltage, unless it's within a voltage source. And voltage (or potential) doesn't "flow" at all. It's a fixed quantity in time-invariant circuits.
 

Similar threads

Replies
34
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
43
Views
5K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K