Calculating Magnetic Force on a Lightning Rod: Homework Question [Answer Inside]

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic force on a segment of a lightning rod during a lightning strike, with a peak current of 250 kA. The magnetic field strength is determined to be 5.01 T. To find the magnetic force, the formula F = I * (integral(dl) x B) is used, where the current is derived by multiplying current density by the width dx. The main challenge highlighted is understanding how to incorporate the width dx into the calculations. The thread emphasizes the need for clarity on integrating these variables to solve the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement


Lightning strikes a lightning rod that is a thin, hollow cylinder with a radius of 1.0 cm with a peak current of 250 kA.
What is the magnetic force on an infinitesimal segment (vertical line) of current of width dx and
length L? [3]


Homework Equations


F = I[integral](dl)xB


The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated the magnetic field strength of B = 5.01 T
I'm not really sure how to start this? How do I incorporate the width dx?
 
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How do I incorporate the width dx?
You get the current if you multiply the current density by dx.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
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Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
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