A simpler version of Ampere’s two-wire experiment is taught in all the physics textbooks.
The question is how exactly did Ampere initially do this experiment.
After translating Ampere’s Memoir, I was able to read and study it to understand the basics of how he did his original two wire experiment. What I found was he used a copper wire circuit (images below) with mercury and a voltaic pile battery to send current through the wires. When the current goes through the two wires they get closer together or farther apart depending on the direction of the current.
Resources to continue study
Copy of Apparatus used by Ampere
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