A compass for current

But what is the situation „behind“ the lamp?


The electric circuit is built again as described in the first situation. The switch is open. Both compass needles point to north.
Now the second compass is used additionally by placing it under the red wire. So it is placed under the wire which connects the light bulb to the positive pole of the battery. What will you observe as you close the switch?

Aufbau des Versuches (siehe links).

If the current is switched on now, the second compass will be also reoriented. The left one will point downwards, but in which direction will the right one pont?

Bild des Aufbaus

a) The current also flows to the light bulb through the wire near the second compass. So in the red wire it flows in the other direction so that this compass is oriented in the opposite direction.

Bild des Aufbaus

b) The current flows back to the battery through this wire. Consequently, the new compass points in the same direction as the previous one.