Calculating Voltage Drop with Non-Constant Speed

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating voltage drop in a physics experiment involving a cart with a magnet moving down a ramp through a coil of wire. Participants explore the implications of a non-constant speed on the derived formula for voltage drop, specifically addressing the integration of variables related to magnetic flux and the area of the coil.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant derived a formula for voltage drop, V=-N∫dB/dt(dot)dA, and questioned whether they could pull dx/dt out of the integral given that speed is not constant.
  • Another participant suggested that dx/dt can be pulled outside the integral if it does not depend on the variable of integration, A.
  • Clarification was sought regarding the definition of A, which was identified as the area of the coil.
  • Concerns were raised about the implications of varying speed on the ability to simplify the integral, particularly with the presence of the dB/dx term.
  • A participant noted that since the area does not change with time, the voltage can be expressed in terms of the magnetic flux derivative.
  • There was a mention of a teaching assistant's impression that the dB/dx term complicates the removal of v from the integral due to the changing velocity with respect to position.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the ability to simplify the integral by pulling dx/dt out, with differing views on the implications of the changing speed and the role of the dB/dx term in the calculations. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence of the voltage drop calculation on the relationship between speed, position, and magnetic field, indicating that assumptions about constancy may not hold due to the nature of the experiment.

Son-of-Shem
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so I'm working on a physics lab report, and I've derived the following formula

V=-N∫dB/dt(dot)dA

then I used the chain rule to turn it into

V=-N∫dx/dt * dB/dx(dot)dA

my question is, can I pull the dx/dt out of integral? I was doing the experiment, and measured the voltage drop, and varied the speed. the speed isn't constant, as it's the speed of a (frictionless) cart going down a ramp

'cause this formula ( V=-Nv∫dB/dx(dot)dA ) would be much better for my data anaylsis
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi Son-of-Shem! Welcome to PF! :smile:

What is your A ? :confused:

You can pull the dx/dt outside the ∫ if it doesn't depend on your variable of integration (A) :wink:
 
thanks,

yeah... I should have mentiond that, shouldn't I... oops.

A is the area. I just wasn't sure since v depended on x, and there was a dx in there, if it was ok to pull that out...
 
I'm completely confused …

I guessed A would be area, but area of what? :confused:
 
sorry, I'll start over from the beginning.

I send a cart with a magnet down a ramp, and through a coil of wire with 200 turns, sitting perpendicular to the tabletop, and measure the maximum voltage drop. The formula I found (using magnetic flux) is V=-N∫dx/dt * dB/dx(dot)dA

so A is the area of the coil.

if I can pull out dx/dt, then ∫dB/dx(dot)dA=-V/Nv, which is a measurable quantity :)

my question is: can I do that?
 
Last edited:
Hi Son-of-Shem! :smile:

(just got up :zzz: …)

isn't A a constant? :confused:

why are you integrating?
 
yeah, it is constant...

I was trying to find voltage drop, which is -dΦ/dt

and dΦ=B(dot)dA

so Φ=∫B(dot)dA

so d/dt(∫B(dot)dA)=dΦ/dt

then V=-d/dt(∫B(dot)dA) (for a 1 turn coil)

or V=-d/dt(N∫B(dot)dA) (for coil w/ N turns)

and since area doesn't change with time...

then V=-N∫dB/dt(dot)dA

and by chain rule

then V=-N∫dx/dt * dB/dx(dot)dA

so V=-N∫v * dB/dx(dot)dA

my TA seemed to give the impression that the dB/dx term would interfere with my ability to remove v from the integral... that coupled with the fact that the velocity is actually changing (sqrt(2gh)) with x (height depends on x)

I believe that the magnetic field felt at the coil depends on the area of it, so the db/dx term can't be taken out...
 
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