Q.

A conducting loop carrying a current I is placed in a uniform magnetic field pointing into the plane of the paper as shown. The loop will have a tendency to                [2003]

1 contract  
2 expand  
3 move towards +ve x-axis  
4 move towards -ve x-axis.  

Ans.

(2)

In a uniform magnetic field, the net force on a current-carrying loop is zero. Hence, the loop cannot move. Using Fleming's left-hand rule, we find that a force acts in the radially outward direction throughout the circumference of the conducting loop.