Electric Current: Positive/Negative Charge Movement in Conductor

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of electric charges in a conductor placed in a magnetic field, specifically focusing on the movement of positive and negative charges when the direction of the electric current is reversed. Participants are exploring the underlying phenomena that cause this charge distribution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the nature of the phenomenon causing the charge movement and whether it relates to induction. They are also considering the implications of the Hall Effect and discussing the forces acting on the charges within the conductor.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested looking up the Hall Effect as a potential explanation for the observed behavior. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationship between the forces acting on the charges and their distribution within the conductor, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of charge carriers in conductors and the effects of magnetic fields, while also expressing a sense of community and support within the forum.

bb.minhtri
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"An electric conductor carrying electric current from left to right is placed in a downward magnetic field. It is observed that there are positive charge on the front of the conductor and negative charge a the back. If the electric current is reverse, flowing from right to left, then the positive charge will appear at the back and negative charge will appear at the front. Determine either negative or positive the free moving charge within the conductor is. "

What kind of phenomenon that cause charge to move at the back and front of the conductor? It does not seem like induction:(
Thank you guys so much for helping:)
 
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bb.minhtri said:
"An electric conductor carrying electric current from left to right is placed in a downward magnetic field. It is observed that there are positive charge on the front of the conductor and negative charge a the back. If the electric current is reverse, flowing from right to left, then the positive charge will appear at the back and negative charge will appear at the front. Determine either negative or positive the free moving charge within the conductor is. "

What kind of phenomenon that cause charge to move at the back and front of the conductor? It does not seem like induction:(
Thank you guys so much for helping:)

Look up the Hall Effect.
 
bb.minhtri said:
"An electric conductor carrying electric current from left to right is placed in a downward magnetic field. It is observed that there are positive charge on the front of the conductor and negative charge a the back. If the electric current is reverse, flowing from right to left, then the positive charge will appear at the back and negative charge will appear at the front. Determine either negative or positive the free moving charge within the conductor is. "

What kind of phenomenon that cause charge to move at the back and front of the conductor? It does not seem like induction:(
Thank you guys so much for helping:)
Hello bb.minhtri. Welcome to PF !

So, you need to determine the sign of the dominant charge carrier in the conductor?

The phenomenon about which you inquired is:
[itex]\vec{F}=q\vec{v}\times\vec{B}\,.[/itex]​
 
Thanks, Sammy:D I thought about that formula earlier and there's definitely some force that push the conductor to the front(or to the back). But I still can not figure out its relation with this part It is observed that there are positive charge on the front of the conductor and negative charge a the back. If the electric current is reverse, flowing from right to left, then the positive charge will appear at the back and negative charge will appear at the front.
P/S: PF is so heplful^^ I look up here many times for problems and this is the first time I can not find :D
 
bb.minhtri said:
Thanks, Sammy:D I thought about that formula earlier and there's definitely some force that push the conductor to the front(or to the back). But I still can not figure out its relation with this part It is observed that there are positive charge on the front of the conductor and negative charge a the back. If the electric current is reverse, flowing from right to left, then the positive charge will appear at the back and negative charge will appear at the front.
P/S: PF is so helpful^^ I look up here many times for problems and this is the first time I can not find :D
Did you look up the Hall Effect, as gneill suggested?

P/S: I wish that more users of PF would look things up. They often post threads inquiring about problems that have been answered the previous day. We are glad to hear that you find PF helpful.
 
bb.minhtri said:
Thanks, Sammy:D I thought about that formula earlier and there's definitely some force that push the conductor to the front(or to the back). But I still can not figure out its relation with this part It is observed that there are positive charge on the front of the conductor and negative charge a the back. If the electric current is reverse, flowing from right to left, then the positive charge will appear at the back and negative charge will appear at the front.
P/S: PF is so heplful^^ I look up here many times for problems and this is the first time I can not find :D

A current consists of moving charges. Charges moving in a magnetic field experience a force that moves them off their straight-line path. If charge carriers are deflected away from one area and towards another area, a charge imbalance will exist between those two areas, i.e., a potential difference will exist. Look up the Hall Effect.
 
I get it, it's a negative-charge carrier. Sorry gneill, I can't believe I miss your post...
Thank you both so much for helping!
 

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