Electromagnetic induction in a U shaped conductor

1. Apr 17, 2016

FaroukYasser

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A 0.393 m long metal bar is pulled to the left by an applied force F. The bar rides on a parallel metal rails connected through a 42.9 ohm resistor as shown in the figure. So the apparatus makes a complete circuit. You can ignore the resistance of the bars and the rails. The circuit is in an uniform 0.34 T magnetic field that is directed out of the plane of the figure. At the instant when the bar is moving to the left at 5.9 m/s. what is the rate at which the applied force is doing work on the bar?

2. Relevant equations
Emf = -Blv, I = |-Blv|/R = Blv/R. F=ILB

3. The attempt at a solution

For my answer, I know that F=ILB but I=BLv/R so F=(B^2*L^2*v)/R. And we know that power = Force * velocity so we get: P = Fv = (BLV)^2/R. I subbed in the values and I got 14.5 mW. However, the text book disagrees and says its 50.4 mW, where did I go wrong?

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2. Apr 19, 2016

Hesch

I think your result is correct: Calculated different:

ψ = B * A , ψ is the flux , A is area.

Emf = dψ/dt = B*dA/dt = 0.34T * 0.393m * 5.9m/s.

P = Emf2 / R

3. Apr 19, 2016

TSny

The wording of the problem does not necessarily imply that the applied force equals the magnetic force (BLv). For example, the rod could have a nonzero acceleration "at the instant when the bar is moving at 5.9 m/s to the left". The sum of the applied force vector and magnetic force vector would then equal mrod $\vec{a}$ (assuming no friction between the rod and the rails).

Anyway, to get a definite answer it seems natural to make the assumption of constant speed and no friction so that the applied force equals the magnetic force. So, I think your answer is correct.