Question

Sketch the magnetic field lines for a current-carrying circular loop near its centre. Replace the loop by an equivalent magnetic dipole and sketch the magnetic field lines near the centre of the dipole. Identify the difference.

Answer 1

The difference between the two configurations is that in the current-carrying loop, the magnetic field lines pass through the centre and are perpendicular to its axis; whereas in the equivalent magnetic dipole, the magnetic field lines do not pass through the centre.