Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 24 - Reading Check Questions (Comprehension) - Page 466: 21

Answer

The force is maximum when the electric current is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

Work Step by Step

This is discussed on pages 460-461. In a later physics course, you will learn that the magnetic force is proportional to the sine of the angle between the current's direction and the magnetic field. The sine of $90^{\circ}$ is 1, which gives the strongest force. The sine of $0^{\circ}$ is 0, which gives no force.
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