You are doing a study of bird migration and need to determine the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field B using a magnetometer (a device for measuring magnetic fields). This magnetometer consists of a long wire carrying 10.0 A of current. Assume the wire and the magnetic field are both parallel to the ground. For the two orientations of the wire shown (viewed from above), the magnitude of the force per unit length F/L is given. The orientation of the wire in Figure I is perpendicular to the orientation of the wire in Figure II.
a. What is the strength of the Earth's magnetic field (in micro Tesla)?
b. Your research student is standing 5.00 m away from the wire. What is the strength of the magnetic field at that location due solely to the wire?
c. The research student in part (c) has a compass needle that aligns itself to be parallel with magnetic field lines. Will the compass needle be deflected to point toward the wire, away from the wire, or neither? Explain your answer.