A solenoid S S\,S is connected in series with a battery and a variable resistor. A thin, closed copper ring R R\,R is placed co-axially with, and to the right of, SSS, as shown in the diagram.
Initially, a steady current is flowing through the solenoid. The resistance of the variable resistor is then rapidly decreased.
Which of the following describes the magnetic force acting on the ring R R\,R during the time interval in which the resistance is being decreased?
transient and directed to the left
transient and directed to the right
constant and directed to the left
constant and directed to the right