Force Acting on Current Carrying Conductor: Practice Problem & Solution

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Force Acting on Current Carrying Conductor. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Assertion (A) is true: A current loop in a magnetic field tends to maximize its enclosed area to minimize its magnetic potential energy \(-\vec{M} \cdot \vec{B}\). A circle provides the maximum area for a given perimeter.

Reason (R) is true: The net force on a closed loop in a uniform magnetic field is zero. (R) does not explain (A); the shape change is due to torque and area maximization, not the zero net force. Both are true, but (R) is not the explanation for (A).