For a long cylindrical conductor with uniform current distribution, apply Ampere's law to find the magnetic field.
At distance r from the axis (inside the conductor, r<R): B(r)=2πR2μ0Ir (proportional to r)
At the axis (r=0): B=0 (minimum)
At the surface (r=R): B=2πRμ0I (maximum)
Analyzing the statements:
A. Maximum at ends and minimum at midpoint - FALSE. This describes behavior along the axis, but the magnetic field depends on radial distance, not axial position.
B. Maximum at the axis of the conductor - FALSE. The field is zero at the axis.
C. Minimum at the surface of the conductor - FALSE. The field is maximum at the surface.
D. Minimum at the axis of the conductor - TRUE. The field is zero at r=0, making it the minimum.
E. Same at all points in the cross-section - FALSE. The field varies from 0 at the axis to maximum at the surface.
Only D is correct.