Anode And Cathode Through Conductor

[hjapl]

Homework Statement

A conductor is aligned with Earth's magnetic lines of force. The compass set above the conductor points in a line parallel to the conductor. A DC power supply is connected to form a closed circuit with the conductor. Explain how this information could be used to identify the anode and the cathode for the power supply.

Homework Equations

Right hand rules.

The Attempt at a Solution

I guess since the Earth's magnetic lines of force are in a North/South direction that that's the way the conductor would face. Since it's lined up, the conductor probably has the current flowing from bottom to top (a.k.a. South to North). However, I am not really sure where to go from here and I am not even sure if what I just said is right. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks :)

 

[anathema]

Thank you for your post. Based on the information provided, we can infer that the conductor is aligned with Earth's magnetic field, which means it is oriented in a North/South direction. This indicates that the current is flowing from bottom to top, as you correctly mentioned.

To identify the anode and cathode for the power supply, we can use the right hand rule. If the current is flowing from bottom to top, then the thumb of your right hand would point towards the top of the conductor. The direction of your fingers would then indicate the direction of the magnetic field created by the current.

Next, we can use the right hand rule for a straight conductor to determine the direction of the current flow. If the fingers of your right hand point towards the top of the conductor, then the current is flowing from the anode towards the cathode.

Therefore, in this scenario, the anode would be located at the bottom of the conductor and the cathode at the top. This is because the current is flowing from the anode to the cathode, and the anode is always the positive terminal of a power supply while the cathode is the negative terminal.

I hope this helps clarify the situation. Let me know if you have any further questions or need more assistance. Keep up the good work!

 

[kerimek]

Thank you for your attempt at a solution. Your logic is correct in assuming that the conductor would face the North/South direction due to the Earth's magnetic lines of force. To identify the anode and cathode, we can use the right hand rule for current flow. If the current is flowing from bottom to top (South to North), then the anode would be at the top and the cathode would be at the bottom. This is because the current flows from the positive terminal of the power supply (anode) to the negative terminal (cathode). Therefore, the anode is the positive end of the circuit and the cathode is the negative end. This information can be used to properly connect the power supply to the conductor and ensure proper current flow.