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b) By using a Magnetic Compass:
We can also detect weak electric current flowing through a liquid using a magnetic
compass, by making use of magnetic effect of electric current.
Take out the cardboard tray from the inside of a discarded matchbox.
Place the compass inside the cardboard tray.
Wrap an electric wire a few times around the cardboard tray, so as to make a type of
coil of wire around the compass.
Here, for testing the wrapped cardboard tray along with the compass is used instead
of electric bulb.
The two ends of the wrapped electric wire is attached an electric source.
Even if a weak electric current flows through the liquid in the circuit, the
magnetic needle of compass will show deflection.
This is because, even a weak electric current flowing through a wire produces a
magnetic field around it and this magnetic field of electric current acts on the
magnetic needle and deflects it from its usual north-south direction.
So, if a compass surrounded by a wound up electric wire of a circuit including
a liquid in it shows deflection, it will mean that the liquid conducts electricity.
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