📚 Topic Summary
Ampere's Law states that the integrated magnetic field around a closed loop is proportional to the electric current passing through the loop. In simpler terms, it tells us how much magnetic field is created by a given electric current or, conversely, how much current is flowing if we know the magnetic field. In this activity, you'll use a compass to observe the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying wire and qualitatively verify Ampere's Law. You will observe that the magnetic field's direction is related to the current's direction, which aligns with the principles of Ampere's Law.
🧲 Part A: Vocabulary
Match each term with its correct definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Ampere's Law |
A. A device used to determine the direction of a magnetic field. |
| 2. Magnetic Field |
B. A region around a magnet or current-carrying wire where magnetic forces are exerted. |
| 3. Electric Current |
C. The law that relates magnetic fields to the electric currents producing them. |
| 4. Compass |
D. The flow of electric charge. |
| 5. Permeability of Free Space |
E. A constant ($μ_0$) that relates the magnetic field to the current in a vacuum. |
(Match the number to the correct letter)
🔌 Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided: current, magnetic field, direction, Ampere's Law, compass.
According to __________, an electric __________ creates a __________ around it. A __________ can be used to detect the __________ of this magnetic field.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain how increasing the current flowing through a wire affects the magnetic field around it, according to Ampere's Law. How would this change be observable using a compass?
