Direction of Magnetic Field

Direction of Magnetic Field

The direction of magnetic field is determined with the help of the following simple laws:

1) Maxwell’s cork screw rule: According to this rule, if we imagine a right handed screw placed along the current carrying linear conductor, be rotated such that the screw moves in the direction of flow of current, then the direction of rotation of thumb gives the direction of magnetic lines of force.

2) Right hand thumb rule: According to this rule if a straight current carrying conductor is held in the right hand represents the direction of current flow, then the direction of folding fingers will represent the direction of magnetic lines of force.

3) Right hand thumb rule of circular currents: According to this rule if the direction of current in circular conducting coil is in the direction of folding fingers of right hand, then the direction of magnetic field will be in the direction of stretched thumb

4) Right hand palm rule:  If we stretch our right hand such that fingers point towards the point. At which magnetic field is required while thumb is in the direction of current then normal to the palm will show the direction of magnetic field.