Question

The image shows the right-hand rule being used for a current-carrying wire.

An illustration with a right hand with fingers curled and thumb pointed up.

Which statement describes what the hand shows?

When the current flows down the wire, the magnetic field flows out on the left side of the wire and in on the right side of the wire.
When the current flows up the wire, the magnetic field flows out on the left side of the wire and in on the right side of the wire.
When the current flows down the wire, the magnetic field flows in on the left side of the wire and out on the right side of the wire.
When the current flows up the wire, the magnetic field flows in on the left side of the wire and out on the right side of the wire.

Answer 1

The right-hand rule states that if you point your thumb in the direction of the current flow in a wire, your curled fingers will indicate the direction of the magnetic field lines encircling the wire.

Given your description of the hand with the thumb pointed up (indicating the current is flowing up the wire), the fingers will curl in a counterclockwise direction when looking down the wire from above. This means that:

- On the left side of the wire, the magnetic field lines will be coming out of the page (or towards you).
- On the right side of the wire, the magnetic field lines will be going into the page (or away from you).

Therefore, the correct statement is:

**When the current flows up the wire, the magnetic field flows out on the left side of the wire and in on the right side of the wire.**