Identify the correct statements regarding a circular coil carrying a current.
(A) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow anticlockwise, acts as a magnetic north pole.
(B) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow anticlockwise, acts as a magnetic south pole.
(C) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow clockwise, acts as the magnetic north pole.
(D) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow clockwise, acts as the magnetic south pole.
Choose the correct answer from the following options:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A) and (D) only
A current loop is a magnetic dipole. By the right-hand thumb rule, when the current appears anticlockwise to an observer, the field of the loop points towards that observer, so field lines come out of that face; field lines leave a north pole.
(A) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow anticlockwise, acts as a magnetic north pole. — Correct. Field lines emerge from the face where the current looks anticlockwise.
(B) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow anticlockwise, acts as a magnetic south pole. — Incorrect. That face is a north pole, as in (A).
(C) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow clockwise, acts as the magnetic north pole. — Incorrect. Field lines enter the face where the current looks clockwise, so it is a south pole.
(D) The face of the coil in which current appears to flow clockwise, acts as the magnetic south pole. — Correct. Field lines enter this face, as they enter a south pole.
NCERT (2026-27):
Lenz’s Law and Conservation of Energy – “… Hence current is induced in the coil in such a direction that it opposes the increase in flux. This is possible only if the current in the coil is in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to an observer situated on the side of the magnet. Note that magnetic moment associated with this current has North polarity towards the North-pole of the approaching magnet. … To counter this decrease in magnetic flux, the induced current in the coil flows in clockwise direction and its South-pole faces the receding North-pole of the bar magnet.”