The force experienced by a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field is maximum when the angle between the direction of current and the direction of magnetic field is 

The Correct answer is 90º.

Key Points

• The force experienced by a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field is given by the formula: F = BIL sin θ, where:
  • F is the force.
  • B is the magnetic field strength.
  • I is the current in the conductor.
  • L is the length of the conductor in the magnetic field.
  • θ is the angle between the current and the magnetic field.
• The sine function (sin θ) determines the magnitude of the force. The value of sin θ is maximum when θ = 90º, which makes the force maximum.
• When the angle between the current and the magnetic field is 90º, the conductor experiences the maximum force, as sin 90º = 1.
• This phenomenon is based on the principle of the motor effect, which explains how a force is exerted on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
• This principle is widely used in the functioning of electric motors, generators, and other electromagnetic devices.
• At other angles (such as 0º, 45º, or 60º), the value of sin θ is less than 1, resulting in a smaller force.

 Additional Information

• Angle 60º
  • At an angle of 60º, the value of sin θ is approximately 0.866, which results in a force that is less than the maximum force.
• Angle 0º
  • When the angle is 0º, the direction of the current is parallel to the magnetic field, and the value of sin θ is 0.
  • This means that no force is exerted on the conductor at this angle.
• Angle 45º
  • At an angle of 45º, the value of sin θ is approximately 0.707, which results in a force that is less than the force at 90º.