When the direction of current is altered in an electric circuit, what is also affected?

When the direction of current is altered in an electric circuit, the alignment of magnetic fields is also affected. This is because an electric current creates a magnetic field around the conductor according to Ampère's circuital law. When the current changes direction, the magnetic field generated by the current also changes orientation. This principle is key in various electromagnetic applications, including motors and generators, where the interaction between changing currents and magnetic fields is utilized to perform work.

The alignment of magnetic fields is directly related to the flow of electric current, making this a fundamental aspect of electromagnetism. As the current flows in different directions, the resultant magnetic field will orient according to the right-hand rule, changing both direction and strength based on the nature of the current flow.