The deflection of the compass needle decreases as the distance from the current-carrying wire increases, indicating a diminishing magnetic field influence with greater distance.
Describe the relationship between the deflection of the compass needle and the distance from the current-carrying wire.
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The relationship between the deflection of a compass needle and the distance from a current-carrying wire follows an inverse square law. As you move closer to the wire, the magnetic field strength around the wire increases, causing a more significant deflection of the compass needle. Conversely, increasing the distance results in a weaker magnetic field and a reduced deflection. The relationship is not linear but follows an inverse square law because the magnetic field strength diminishes with the square of the distance from the current-carrying wire. This behavior is crucial in understanding and measuring the magnetic field around conductors in various applications.
The relationship between the deflection of a compass needle and the distance from a current-carrying wire is described by the inverse square law. As the compass moves farther away from the wire while the current remains constant, the magnetic field strength experienced by the compass diminishes. According to the inverse square law, the magnetic field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the current-carrying wire. Consequently, an increase in distance results in a squared decrease in magnetic field strength, leading to a reduced deflection of the compass needle. This phenomenon is akin to the behavior of gravitational or electromagnetic fields and is integral to understanding the spatial distribution of magnetic fields around current-carrying conductors. The relationship illustrates how magnetic influence weakens with increasing distance, impacting the deflection observed in the compass needle.