Does a current carrying conductor experiences a force onlywhen the current is in the same direction as the magnetic field?
The answer to your question is, No. Fq* v*B*sin(theta) F: Magnetic force. q: Charge inside the conductor (in this case, that is causing the current). v: Velocity of charged particle. B: Magnetic Field. Theta: is the angle between the velocity vector and magnetic field vector (angle between v B). So if the current is in the same direction as the magnetic field, the angle between (v B) is zero or 180 degrees making sin(theta)0 which means F0 It experiences a force only when the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field or at least makes an angle theta with the field that is not zero or 180. what this means is there has to be a velocity component normal to the magnetic field.
Current carrying conductor will always experience force, weather the magnetic field is from external or self induced magnetic field. The reason I know this is because I have been involved in testing 50,000 watt diesel generator sets by applying a dead short (1000's amps) across the output. And have observed double (00) cables jumping on the laboratory floor (like a garden hose when you slam the valve shut).
