To determine the directions of electrical current and magnetic field electromagnet: Current Direction: Using right-hand rule curl fingers your right hand in direction wire wraps. Your thumb will point inside coil. Magnetic Field Inside coil lines align with indicated by thumb. Outside curve around from North to South pole. Illustration Example: Here's a simple illustration showing field: Diagram: source: Wikimedia Commons In this diagram: Blue Arrows show electromagnet. Red Arrow represents flow according