TruemorsImage Credit: Wikipedia / User:Stannered / User:Wapcaplet
Original Caption:
Illustration of a magnetic field around a wire through which positive current is flowing.
Note: Electricity can flow through conductors other than wire (such as salt water, other conductive metals, plasma, etc.). The generation of a magnetic field occurs regardless of the conductor through which the current flows.
(Electric current - Electromagnetism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current#Electromagnetism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Electromagnetism.svg
Electricity and Magnetism (Diagram)
Photo Properties
NP! ID: 1235648
Title: Electricity and Magnetism (Diagram)
File Size: 651 × 709 – 118.83 KB
Created: Sun, 06/29/2008 - 11:48am
Modified: Fri, 10/31/2008 - 11:01am
File Type: image (jpeg)
Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 19:34 on April 21st, 2009
I have a general and highly concerning question:
Does the direction of the magnetic field through a conductor change when you consider that is flowing from + to - and vice-versa????
Notice that I learned in my engineering school (Chile) that you always use the "right hand rule" to help you "see" the magnetic field direction, and when I got into US, every body uses the "left hand rule". (and they are exactly opposite)
Can someone give me an informed answer???
Thanks lot1
at 20:52 on April 21st, 2009
My understanding is that the right hand rule applies.
Make a fist. Point your thumb out like you're hitch-hiking... In the analogy, your thumb points in the direction of the conventional current, and your fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field. Or, vice versa, if you measure the direction of the magnetic field. curl your fingers the same direction and point your thumb. Your thumb tells you the direction of the conventional current.
"Conventional current" follows the "positive" charges (protons or +ions). "Electron current" flows in the opposite direction from conventioanl current, however, since the charge is reciprocal (negative charge), the direction of the current is still drawn as an arrow in the same direction as the "conventional current" would have been (opposite direction of the electrons' net motion). The magnetic field lines would also be drawn relative to the direction of the "conventional current."
It's all a bit confusing at times. It's taken me a while to get this far. ;o] And I've not even had a formal class in it! But I'm getting there... Slowly but surely. But, basically, it all seems to have to do with which net charge is flowing in which direction.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current#Conventional_current
Don't know if that helps or not. But, since I'm really hobby level or less, I wouldn't take my word for it, but seek ou a few independent sources like the Hyperphysics site, umm Richard Fitzpatrick's course on classical electromagnetism at University of Texas at Austin (I know there are a lot of good articles on EM over there. Not sure specifically on electrical engineering though?)... In fact, google: richard fitzpatrick classical electromagnetism
That should take you right to the online lecture... Good stuff.
You might also go over to the amasci site and find the link near the top of the page (a few links down) entitled My "Electricity" Articles. Some more decent stuff.
Good stuff over there too. :)
Regards,
~Michael