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If I place a compass over a wire(such that the wire is positioned north-south) with charge flowing through it, and it points northeast, how can I determine the direction of the electron current flowing through the wire?

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Sounds like homework? What do you know about the magnetic field of a charged wire? – Lagerbaer Feb 27 '11 at 23:36
The magnitude is k |(qv x rh)| / r^2 where rh = r/|r|. The magnetic field has to be pointing right because of the effect on the compass. Therefore by the right hand rule, v is pointing north, so the electron current is flowing from south to north. Does that sound right? – Mike Feb 28 '11 at 1:23
related: physics.stackexchange.com/questions/28014/… – tmac May 8 '12 at 17:50

1 Answer

Here you can see the magnetic field. This answer your question right?

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