Subelement A: Principles— Topic 2: Magnetism
Question 3-2A1
Element 3 (GROL)What determines the strength of the magnetic field around a conductor?
Explanation
The fundamental principle of electromagnetism states that a current flowing through a conductor creates a magnetic field around it. The strength of this magnetic field is directly proportional to the amount of current flowing through the conductor. More current means more moving electric charges, which in turn generates a stronger magnetic field.
Therefore, **D) The amount of current** is the direct determinant of the magnetic field's strength.
Options A and B relate to resistance and current, which are governed by Ohm's Law (V=IR), but do not directly define the strength of the *magnetic field* generated. Option C, the diameter of the conductor, affects its resistance and current-carrying capacity for a given voltage, but it is the *current itself*, not the physical diameter, that directly creates and determines the strength of the magnetic field. A thin wire carrying 1 Ampere will produce a magnetic field of the same strength as a thick wire carrying 1 Ampere, assuming the same distance from the conductor.
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