A current loop placed in a magnetic field behaves like a

Options

A. (a)magnetic dipole
B. (b)magnetic substance
C. (c)magnetic pole
D. (d)non magnetic substance

Answer

To solve the question "A current loop placed in a magnetic field behaves like a...", we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. **Understanding the Concept of a Current Loop**:
- A current loop is formed when electric current flows through a closed conducting path. This can be in the shape of a circle, square, or any other closed loop.

2. **Magnetic Field Due to a Current Loop**:
- When current flows through the loop, it generates a magnetic field around it. The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using the right-hand rule: if you curl the fingers of your right hand in the direction of the current, your thumb points in the direction of the magnetic field lines.

3. **Behavior of the Current Loop in a Magnetic Field**:
- A current loop in an external magnetic field experiences a torque. This is because the magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field produced by the current loop itself.

4. **Magnetic Dipole Moment**:
- The current loop can be characterized by a magnetic dipole moment, which is a vector quantity that represents the strength and direction of the magnetic field produced by the loop. The magnetic dipole moment (μ) is given by the formula:
\[ \mu = I \cdot A \]
where \(I\) is the current flowing through the loop and \(A\) is the area of the loop.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the behavior of the current loop in a magnetic field and its characteristics, we conclude that a current loop placed in a magnetic field behaves like a magnetic dipole.

### Final Answer:
A current loop placed in a magnetic field behaves like a **magnetic dipole**.

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