When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field perpendicular to the lines of flux, it tends to move in which direction?

When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the lines of magnetic flux, it experiences a force due to the interaction between the magnetic field and the electric current flowing through the conductor. According to Fleming's Left-Hand Rule, which is used to determine the direction of motion in an electromagnetic situation, the thumb points in the direction of the force (or motion), the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic field, and the second finger points in the direction of the current.

In this scenario, since the magnetic field is perpendicular to the current, the force will act perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the direction of the current. This results in the conductor moving in a direction that is perpendicular to both the magnetic field lines and the flow of current through the conductor.

The choice that indicates this perpendicular movement accurately describes the physical phenomena involved. This understanding is fundamental in applications such as electric motors, where the interplay between electric current and magnetic fields is harnessed to produce rotational motion.