How does a compass react when placed near a current carrying conductor?

When a compass is placed near a current-carrying conductor, it is influenced by the magnetic field produced by the electric current flowing through the conductor. The magnetic field generated around the conductor will interact with the magnetic needle of the compass.

As a result, the compass needle will align itself with the magnetic field lines around the conductor, causing it to point towards the conductor. This reaction occurs because the magnetic field created by the current is stronger than the Earth's magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the conductor. This behavior is explained by the right-hand rule and the understanding of magnetic fields, which indicate that the direction of the compass needle will follow the field lines produced by the current. Therefore, the compass will point towards the conductor as it seeks to align with the magnetic field created by the current.