© In the absence of the magnetic field due to the current in the wire, the compass needle sets
in the N -S drection under the influence of the Earth’s magnetic field.
Explain why, when the current is adjusted to a certain value, the needle deflects from the
direction.

When the current flows through the wire, it generates a magnetic field around it. This magnetic field interacts with the compass needle, which itself is a small magnet. As the strength of the current increases, the magnetic field produced by the wire becomes stronger, overpowering the Earth’s magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the compass. As a result, the compass needle, which normally aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field, starts to rotate and align with the newly established magnetic field created by the current, causing it to deflect from the N-S direction.

The amount of deflection depends on the strength of the current and the distance from the wire. If the current is increased even further, the needle may deflect more prominently, showing how electrical currents can influence magnetic fields. This principle is crucial in many applications, such as designing electromagnets and understanding the behavior of circuits in electrical engineering. So, the next time you adjust the current, think of it as the compass needle having a little dance with the magnetic forces at play!