Combination of electric and magnetic fields

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the interaction of electric and magnetic fields with an electron. The original poster presents a scenario where an electron has a specified velocity and acceleration in uniform fields, and they seek to determine the y component of the magnetic field based on given parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the magnetic field using the Lorentz force equation after determining the contributions of the electric field to the electron's acceleration. Other participants question the assumptions made regarding the directions of forces and accelerations, suggesting a reevaluation of the net acceleration and the application of the Lorentz force equation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing alternative interpretations of the forces acting on the electron. There is a recognition of potential errors in the original calculations, and guidance has been offered regarding the correct application of the Lorentz force equation. Multiple attempts to solve for the magnetic field have been made, but no consensus on the correct answer has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the direction of accelerations and forces, with participants noting discrepancies in the calculations. The original poster's results differ from those suggested by others, indicating a need for further clarification on the assumptions made in the problem setup.

bemigh
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Hey, i have this question to solve..
An electron has a velocity of 1.62×104 m/s (in the positive x direction) and an acceleration of 2.25×1012 m/s2 (in the positive z direction) in uniform electric and magnetic fields. If the electric field has a magnitude of 19.1 N/C (in the positive z direction), what is the y component of the magnetic field in the region?

Ok, so..
The electric field is in the direction of the acceleration, so i solved for the theoretical acceleration caused by the electric field, which turned out to be 3.35x10^12 m/s^1. This is MORE than the actual acceleration, therefore, the magnetic force must be causing the electron to accelerate 1.10x10^12 m/s^2 in the negative z direction. Using this acceleration and mass of the electron, the magnetic force is 1.00625e-18, and using F=qv X B, i found the magnetic field in the Y direction to be 3.88x10^-4 T, which is ultimately wrong...
where did i go wrong?
Cheers
Brent
 
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which turned out to be 3.35x10^12 m/s^1. This is MORE than the actual acceleration, therefore, the magnetic force must be causing the electron to accelerate 1.10x10^12 m/s^2 in the negative z direction

Remember, that 2.25 X 10^12 is the net accelaration due to electric and magnetic field. Accelaration due to the electric field is in the -z direction and is = 3.35x10^12 m/s^1. So accelaration caused by the magnetic field should be (2.25 X 10^12 +3.35x10^12) m/s^1 in the +z direction. If you use the lorentz force equation, there is no chance of making a mistake in directions.


Start from the lorentz Equation.

[tex]F= ma \vec z = -eE\vec z -e (vXB)[/tex]



[tex]ev (\vec x X B) = (-eE - ma)\vec z[/tex]

[tex]B_y = \frac{-eE - ma}{ev}[/tex]
 
still problems

Hey,
using the larentz equation, i got an answer of 7.89 x 10^-4 T, which is still wrong... any ideas?
Cheers
 
How did you come up with this number? Could you post the answer?

Substituting in the formula that I got earlier, By= -1.97 X 10^-3 T.
 

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