Question

A student performs an experiment to study the magnetic effect of current around a current carrying straight conductor with the help of a magnetic compass. He reports that
(i) the degree of deflection of the magnetic compass increases when the compass is moved away from the conductor.
(ii) the degree of deflection of the magnetic compass increases when the current through the conductor is increased. Which of the above observations of the student appears to be wrong and why?

Answer 1

The first observation is wrong. Because as the distance from the conductor increases, the strength of the magnetic field will decrease. So the degree of deflection of the compass should decrease instead of increasing.