Jade has an iron rod around which she wraps copper wire. She places the device on a table near a compass. What will she observe about the compass if she sends current through the copper wire?

Question

The needle of the compass will show no effect
The needle of the compass will point toward the device
The needle of the compass will stop working
The needle of the compass will spin in circles

Answer 1

When Jade sends current through the copper wire wrapped around the iron rod, she will create a magnetic field around the wire. This magnetic field will interact with the compass nearby.

The correct observation is: The needle of the compass will point toward the device.

The current flowing through the copper wire generates a magnetic field, and because the iron rod is a ferromagnetic material, it will become magnetized, enhancing the magnetic field. The compass needle, which aligns itself with magnetic fields, will be influenced by this field and will point toward the device.