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Question

In which of the following situations will a current-carrying conductor experience maximum force in a magnetic field?

This question was previously asked in
RRB Technician 2026 Grade 3 Question Paper (7-Oct-2026) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

When the conductor is placed perpendicular to the magnetic field lines

The force on a straight conductor of length L carrying a current I in a uniform magnetic field B is \(F = BIL\sin\theta\), where \(\theta\) is the angle between the conductor (direction of current) and the magnetic field.

Since \(\sin\theta\) has its largest value, 1, at \(\theta = 90^{\circ}\), the force is maximum, \(F = BIL\), when the conductor is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. Its direction is then given by Fleming's left-hand rule.

With no current, I = 0, so there is no force at all. At an angle less than 90°, \(\sin\theta\) is less than 1, so the force is smaller than the maximum. When the conductor is parallel to the field lines, \(\theta = 0^{\circ}\) and \(\sin 0^{\circ} = 0\), so the force is zero.

Hence, When the conductor is placed perpendicular to the magnetic field lines.

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Similar Questions

  1. A straight conductor carrying current is placed in a uniform magnetic field. If the direction of current is reversed while keeping the field unchanged, how will the direction of force on the conductor change?

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Important Questions from Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire

  1. According to Fleming's right-hand rule, if the forefinger indicates the direction of the magnetic field and the thumb shows the direction of motion of the conductor, then the stretched middle finger will predict the direction of
  2. A metallic rod of mass per unit length $0.5 \text{ kg m}^{-1}$ is lying horizontally on a smooth inclined plane which makes an angle of $30^\circ$ with the horizontal. The rod is not allowed to slide down by flowing a current through it when a magnetic field of induction $0.25 \text{ T}$ is acting on it, perpendicular to the inclined plane. The current flowing in the rod to keep it stationary is

  3. A circular coil of radius R having N number of turns carries a steady current I. The magnetic induction at the centre of the coil is 0.1 tesla. If the number of turns is doubled and the radius is halved, which one of the following will be the correct value for the magnetic induction at the centre of the coil?

  4. Consider the following image:

    A proton enters a magnetic field at right angles to it, as shown above. The direction of force acting on the proton will be

  5. Consider the following statements about a solenoid:

    1. The magnetic field strength in a solenoid depends upon the number of turns per unit length in the solenoid

    2. The magnetic field strength in a solenoid depends upon the current flowing in the wire of the solenoid

    3. The magnetic field strength in a solenoid depends upon the diameter of the solenoid

    Which of the statements given above are correct?
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