Ms. Rivera is demonstrating an experiment that includes the use of a compass. A compass has a small magnet that rotates to align with Earth's magnetic field. This small magnet of the compass is called a needle. The model below shows the experiment that Ms. Rivera is demonstrating.

Question

What will most likely happen to the compass needle when the switch is closed and the circuit parts are connected to the battery?
A.
It will remain stationary because there are no magnetic materials included in the circuit.
B.
It will move because the current in the completed circuit will induce a magnetic field.
C.
It will turn around once because the completed circuit reverses Earth's magnetic field.
D.
It will point toward the batteries because they are the only circuit part that can be magnetic.

Answer 1

The most likely outcome when the switch is closed and the circuit is completed is:

B. It will move because the current in the completed circuit will induce a magnetic field.

When the circuit is completed, electric current flows through the wire, creating a magnetic field around it. This magnetic field can interact with the compass needle, causing it to move in response to the induced magnetic field from the current.