When a compass is placed near an electric outlet why does it move?

Answer 1

Electric current produce magnetic fields. However, in the case of AC (alternating current, usual in households), the current changes so quickly (and the current has an average value of zero) that I am not sure the effect on a compass would be visible to the naked eye.

Electric current produce magnetic fields. However, in the case of AC (alternating current, usual in households), the current changes so quickly (and the current has an average value of zero) that I am not sure the effect on a compass would be visible to the naked eye.

Electric current produce magnetic fields. However, in the case of AC (alternating current, usual in households), the current changes so quickly (and the current has an average value of zero) that I am not sure the effect on a compass would be visible to the naked eye.

Electric current produce magnetic fields. However, in the case of AC (alternating current, usual in households), the current changes so quickly (and the current has an average value of zero) that I am not sure the effect on a compass would be visible to the naked eye.

Answer 2

Electric current produce magnetic fields. However, in the case of AC (alternating current, usual in households), the current changes so quickly (and the current has an average value of zero) that I am not sure the effect on a compass would be visible to the naked eye.