Deflection of bullet by Earth's magnetic field

[jkulier]

Homework Statement

A 0.0034kg bullet moves with a speed of 160 m/s perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field of 5E-5 T. If the bullet has a net charge of 13.5E-9 C, by what distance is it deflected due to the magnetic field after it has traveled 1000m?

Homework Equations

radius = mv/qB
theta = arc length/radius

The Attempt at a Solution

First, I found the radius of the circle via: r = (mv)/qB = 8.1E11

Next, I found theta using the arc length of the circle traveled by the bullet divided by the radius of that circle: theta = arc/radius = 1000/8.1E11

Finally, to find the distance it's deflected, I used the triangle approach: tan(theta) = x/1000

However, my answer is incorrect. Any ideas would be great,
thanks in advance.

 

[LowlyPion]

Just wondering why you wouldn't apply the Lorentz magnetic force law to identify the acceleration the bullet would be subjected to and than apply that to figure deflection?

 

[baba89]

I would first check to make sure all of the units are consistent in the calculations. The units for the magnetic field are in Tesla (T), while the units for charge are in Coulombs (C). It may be necessary to convert the magnetic field to a different unit that is more appropriate for this calculation, such as Gauss (G) or Amperes per meter (A/m).

I would also double check the equations used and make sure they are being applied correctly. In this case, it may be helpful to consider the bullet's motion as a combination of linear and circular motion, and use the appropriate equations for each.

Additionally, I would consider any external factors that may affect the bullet's deflection, such as air resistance or the Earth's rotation. These factors may need to be taken into account in the calculation.

If the calculations still do not match the expected answer, I would review the problem and make sure all given information and assumptions are correct. It may also be helpful to consult with a colleague or refer to a trusted source for guidance.