What occurs when current flows in a conductor?

When current flows through a conductor, it generates a circular magnetic field around that conductor. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of electromagnetic induction, which is based on the principles established by physicist Michael Faraday and further elaborated by James Clerk Maxwell. According to these principles, moving electric charges—in this case, the flow of current—create a magnetic field in the surrounding space.

The creation of this magnetic field is not limited to any specific type of current; it occurs with both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using the right-hand grip rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the current flow and the fingers curl in the direction of the generated magnetic field. This magnetic field can exert forces on other magnetic materials and conductors within its vicinity, leading to the operation of various electromechanical devices, such as motors and generators.

Options that suggest the generation of AC voltage or the development of north and south poles do not accurately capture the immediate effect of current flow in a conductor, as they pertain to different aspects of electromagnetism. The idea that all magnetic forces are dissipated when current flows is also incorrect, as the opposite occurs; the flow of current actually creates a