Key learning points

1. The magnetic field lines around a current-carrying wire are concentric circles
2. In a uniform magnetic field, a current carrying wire is forced in one direction
3. Fleming’s left–hand rule can be used to predict the direction of movement of a current–carrying wire in a magnetic field
4. The force on a current–carrying conductor at right angles to a magnetic field, $$F$$, is found using $$F = B I l$$
5. Opposite sides of a conducting coil in a uniform magnetic field are forced to move in opposite directions

Keywords

• Uniform magnetic field - has evenly spaced field lines and the strength of the magnetic field is the same everywhere

• Fleming’s left-hand rule - indicates the direction a conducting wire is forced to move in a uniform magnetic field

• Magnetic flux density, B - is a measure of the strength of a magnetic field

• Tesla (T) - is the unit that magnetic flux density is measured in

Common misconception