Magnetic Fields
Magnetic Force on a
Current-Carrying Conductor
Electric current is a flow of moving charges.
Notice that the direction of the Force is the same if we think of a current as positive charges moving in the direction of the current I or if we think of a current as negative charges moving in the direction opposite to that of the current I. Remember,
F = q v x B
For the two different interpretations of current, the direction of the velocity changes but there is also a change in sign of the charge q.
Return to ToC (c) Doug Davis, 2002; all rights reserved
