Jumping Wire - Physics Demonstrations - Jumping Wire | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Use only momentary contact via the telegraph switch. Prolonged current flow will heat the wire and drain the battery rapidly. Do not hold the switch closed for more than 1-2 seconds per demonstration.

Purpose

Demonstrates the Lorentz force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field. Students apply the right-hand rule to predict the wire's motion, then verify by reversing current polarity.

Clamp stand on lecture bench with red wire hanging from horizontal rod, radar magnet on its side at edge of bench, Energizer battery and telegraph switch connected via red wires

Figure 1: Jumping wire apparatus: red wire suspended from clamp stand hangs between poles of radar magnet at bench edge. Circuit includes 6V battery and telegraph switch.

Safety Warnings

Warning: Battery Connection Caution

Purpose