Question

The pattern of magnetic field due to a current carrying wire depends upon the shape made by that wire. Justify.

Answer 1

The magnetic field pattern depends on the shape of the current-carrying conductor because the direction of current changes with shape.

• For a straight wire, magnetic field lines are concentric circles around the wire.
• For a circular loop, the field lines form a pattern similar to a bar magnet.
• For a solenoid, the field is uniform and parallel inside, like a bar magnet.

Thus, different shapes of the wire produce different magnetic field patterns.