Question

Name the scientist who discovered the magnetic effect of current.

Answer 1

Hint : The magnetic effect of current is when a current flowing in a wire generates a magnetic field around it. This was discovered when a current-carrying wire which was placed near a magnetic compass was deflected by a magnetic field which was realized to be generated by the current-carrying wire.

Complete step by step answer
We know that the current in a wire is due to the flow of electrons inside the wire. Oersted's law is the law that a steady electric current in a wire creates a magnetic field around it. This was discovered on April 21, 1820, by Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted when he noticed that the needle of a compass next to a wire carrying current turned when current was flowing in the circuit.
When there was no current flowing in the circuit, the magnetic needle stayed undeflected so it can be said that a magnetic field is generated only when there is current flowing in the circuit. This is the magnetic effect of current that was discovered by Hans Christian Oersted.
Oersted’s discovery was the first to link electricity and magnetism together as along with his discovery came the realization that electric currents can give rise to magnetic fields.

Note
The deflection of the magnetic needle in the compass depends on how strong the magnetic field generated by the current-carrying is. The extent of the deflection also depends on the orientation of the current-carrying cable, the amount of current flowing in the cable, and the direction of the current in the current-carrying cable.