How to find the direction of the magnetic moment in the following question? Magnetic field is in the positive x direction, and a square current loop lies in the xy plane. The current is in the counterclockwise direction.

Question

nali · Answer

I already that the answer is out of page but how?

anonymous · Answer

a) 
Magnetic moment of the square loop has NOTHING to do with the external field.. so "Magnetic field is in the positive x direction" is totally irrelevant to this question


b) clockwise or counterclockwise depends upon how u look at that square loop.. if u look from above (that is from some point on positive z axis) and if it appears counterclockwise.. then u use ur right hand thumb rule.. and u ll see when the curving fingers are counterclockwise, the thumb points towards you, and hence the moment is towards YOU.. and thus towards positive z axis

but now if you do the same by looking at it from below.. and see its counter clockwise, then again you ll find the moment is towards you, and hence u can now say its towards the negative z axis!

nali · Answer

thanks @Mashy but can u try drawing the right hand rule for me like what is what is the thumb the current and fingers are the magnetic field?

nali · Answer

thanks @Mashy but here is the answer that I needed http://www.physics.sjsu.edu/becker/physics51/images/28_28_Magnetic_moment.jpg