Calculating Deviation of a Bullet's Trajectory

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the deviation of a bullet's trajectory due to its interaction with Earth's magnetic field. The bullet, weighing 3.40g and traveling at 160m/s, has a charge of 13.5 x 10^-9 C in a magnetic field of 5x10^-5 T. The calculated radius of motion is 8.05 x 10^11 m, indicating that the deviation after traveling 1km is minimal but not negligible. Participants emphasize the need for a precise equation to calculate this small deviation effectively. The conversation highlights the challenge of maintaining accuracy in such calculations.
davidbenari
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Homework Statement


A bullet (3.40g) has a velocity of 160m/s perpendicular to Earth's magnetic field 5x10^-5 T . The bullet has a charge of 13.5 x 10^-9 C.With what distance will it be deviated from its trajectory after it has traveled 1.00km?

Homework Equations


##\vec{F}=q\vec{v}\times\vec{B}##

The Attempt at a Solution


The way I visualise this problem. The bullet travels in circular motion.
It's radius of motion will be given by ##R=\frac{mv}{qB}=8.05\times 10^{11} m ##
With a radius this big, after it has traveled 1km it's almost perfectly on top of the line of its initial trajectory. Because this are my answers to the problem, I'm almost 100% sure I'm not doing it right.
 
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davidbenari said:
With a radius this big, after it has traveled 1km it's almost perfectly on top of the line of its initial trajectory.
It's certainly a small deviation, but it is not zero and can be calculated. The trick is to calculate it in such a way that you do not completely lose precision.
Please post an equation for the deviation.
 
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