Who suggested the idea that a magnet would exert an equal and opposite force on a current-carrying conductor?

The concept that a magnet would exert an equal and opposite force on a current-carrying conductor is attributed to Hans Christian Orsted. In 1820, Orsted observed that a magnetic needle near a current-carrying wire would deflect, suggesting a connection between electricity and magnetism. This discovery laid the foundation for the understanding of electromagnetism. André-Marie Ampère further developed these ideas with his work on electromagnetism, leading to the formulation of Ampère’s circuital law. Orsted’s initial observation marked a crucial step in recognizing the profound interrelation between electric currents and magnetic fields in the emerging field of electromagnetism.