Why is a wire affected by magnetism?
In: Physics
It depends on what the wire is up to.
A wire made of a magnetic material, like steel, is affected by a magnetic field (like a magnet) because of the material properties of steel, and the internal electric behavior of the atoms that make up the wire.
If the wire is conductive, but with no current, the affect is caused by an induced current in the wire. Depending on the wire’s resistance, this could generate force or heat.
If the wire is conductive and a current is flowing through it, it will be affected by the forces produces when the magnetic field of the current interacts with the outside magnetism. Electric current and magnetism are the same thing, called electromagnetism.
Latest Answers