Question

A magnetic compass is present on a small table, very close to the wall in a room. A man enters the room and switches on the Air Conditioner fitted near the ceiling. He observes that the needle in the compass shows immediate deflection. Identify the most probable reason for the deflection.

Options

• Air blowing in the room.

• Current starts flowing through AC wire concealed in the adjacent wall.

• Vibrations are produced when the Man starts talking to his wife in the kitchen.

• Vibrations were produced due to a file in his hand that fell on the ground.

Answer 1

Current starts flowing through AC wire concealed in the adjacent wall.

Explanation:

When the air conditioner is switched on, alternating current starts flowing through the wires in the wall. An alternating current produces a changing magnetic field, and this field deflects the compass needle immediately. Blowing air and mechanical vibrations are not magnetic effects and cannot cause such a deflection.