Right-Hand Rule
The most common way to visualize this is with the right-hand rule:
1. Point your thumb in the direction of the current flow. In this case, your thumb is pointing towards you since the current is flowing towards you.
2. Curl your fingers around the conductor. The direction your fingers curl represents the direction of the magnetic field lines.
Result
Using the right-hand rule, you'll find that the magnetic field lines around the conductor will form concentric circles around the wire. The direction of the magnetic field lines at any point will be clockwise if you are looking at the wire with the current flowing towards you.
Key Points
* Magnetic field lines always form closed loops.
* The strength of the magnetic field is proportional to the current and inversely proportional to the distance from the wire.
Let me know if you'd like a diagram to help illustrate this!
