Charged particles moving through a magnetic field

AI Thread Summary
A collection of charged particles, specifically an electron, is analyzed as it moves through a magnetic field at a 30-degree angle, with a magnetic field strength of 3.4 mT and a force of 4.7x10^-18 N. The equation F = BqVSin(Theta) is used to calculate the particle's velocity, initially yielding an incorrect result due to potential calculator settings and mathematical errors. After correcting the sine function and ensuring the calculator is set to degrees, a revised velocity of approximately 17279.4 m/s is achieved. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly applying trigonometric functions and significant figures in calculations. Overall, the final result is confirmed to be accurate.
KieranRC
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Homework Statement


A collection of charged particles move through a magnetic field at an angle to the field lines.
Calculate the velocity of the particle if it is an electron moving at 30 degrees to the magnetic field of strength 3.4mT, causing it to experience a force of 4.7x106-18N

Homework Equations



F=BqVSin(Theta)

The Attempt at a Solution


4.7x10^-18 / ((3.410^-3)(1.602x10^-19)(Sin(30))) = 8733.44m/s
 
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Your method looks fine, but your result is incorrect. Check that your calculator is set to use degrees rather than radians for angles. Or, just recall what the value of sin(30°) is and use it: it's a very common angle and it's sine and cosine really should be memorized.
 
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gneill said:
Your method looks fine, but your result is incorrect. Check that your calculator is set to use degrees rather than radians for angles. Or, just recall what the value of sin(30°) is and use it: it's a very common angle and it's sine and cosine really should be memorized.
Okay great thank you
 
KieranRC said:

Homework Statement


A collection of charged particles move through a magnetic field at an angle to the field lines.
Calculate the velocity of the particle if it is an electron moving at 30 degrees to the magnetic field of strength 3.4mT, causing it to experience a force of 4.7x106-18N

Homework Equations



F=BqVSin(Theta)

The Attempt at a Solution


4.7x10^-18 / ((3.410^-3)(1.602x10^-19)(Sin(30))) = 8733.44m/s
Your answer is off by a factor of about 2. If you ignored the sin in the denominator you'd be close but still off by about 1%.
 
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rude man said:
Your answer is off by a factor of about 2. If you ignored the sin in the denominator you'd be close but still off by about 1%.
but if i take the sin out the don't i take out the angle altogether? and then doesn't that equation without sin just assum the angle is 90?
How do i go about correcting my answer so it is spot on?
Thanks
 
|sin(30 rad)/sin(30 deg)| ~= 2. Did you check your calculator deg/rad setting as I suggested?

Type in sin(30) right now. What do you get?
 
gneill said:
|sin(30 rad)/sin(30 deg)| ~= 2. Did you check your calculator deg/rad setting as I suggested?

Type in sin(30) right now. What do you get?
Yes i did, and in the end i git 17257.84m/s (by changing to deg)
 
KieranRC said:
but if i take the sin out the don't i take out the angle altogether? and then doesn't that equation without sin just assum the angle is 90?
How do i go about correcting my answer so it is spot on?
Thanks
No, you need to leave the sin term in. I just observed that without it you'd be close, but that was just a coincidence and to give you a hint as to what the answer might be.

Your problem, simply, is your math! And BTW you stated in your original post that " ..experience a force of 4.7x106-18N .. ". What does that mean?
BTW setting your calculator to radians instead of degrees is not the problem either.
 
rude man said:
No, you need to leave the sin term in. I just observed that without it you'd be close, but that was just a coincidence and to give you a hint as to what the answer might be.

Your problem, simply, is your math! And BTW you stated in your original post that " ..experience a force of 4.7x106-18N .. ". What does that mean?
BTW setting your calculator to radians instead of degrees is not the problem either.
The forced experienced is just what the question stated.

re-entering everything in and i get 17279.4m/s does this seem more accurate?
 
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KieranRC said:
The forced experienced is just what the question stated.

re-entering everything in and i get 17279.4m/s does this seem more accurate?
That result looks good to me. Be sure to round to the appropriate number of significant figures before submitting your result.
 
  • #11
KieranRC said:
The forced experienced is just what the question stated.

re-entering everything in and i get 17279.4m/s does this seem more accurate?
Yes, surely does!
 
  • #12
@gneill, seems your suggestion to check for rads rater than sines was correct after all. :oops:
 
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