Force due changing magnetic field

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a charged particle in a time-varying magnetic field within a cylindrical region. The magnetic field is uniform and directed into the plane, and the particle is constrained to move in a frictionless groove. Participants are exploring the implications of the induced electric field and potential differences resulting from the changing magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the generation of an induced electric field due to the time-varying magnetic field and its effects on the charged particle. There are questions about the direction of the electric field and how to calculate it. Some participants attempt to derive potential differences between points along the groove, while others express confusion about the setup of integrals and the nature of the induced electric field.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering insights and questioning each other's reasoning. Some have suggested alternative approaches to calculating potential differences, while others are clarifying the implications of the non-conservative nature of the induced electric field. There is a recognition of the need to integrate along specific paths to determine potential differences, and some participants are exploring the relationship between electric field strength and the area enclosed by the groove.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of integrating electric fields along paths in a non-conservative system, and there are ongoing discussions about the correct setup for these integrals. The problem context includes assumptions about neglecting gravity and the specific configuration of the groove and magnetic field.

WubbaLubba Dubdub
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Homework Statement


Uniform magnetic field ##= Bt## exist in cylindrical region of radius ##R## is pointing into the plane of figure (as shown in figure). A frictionless groove of length ##L## is fixed symmetrically from the centre O at a distance of ##\frac{L}{2}## .A charged particle of mass m and charge q is at rest at end B at ##t =0##. Neglect gravity and assume the particle just fits in the groove. Velocity of the particle at the end A is
phy forums.JPG

Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


Time varying magnetic field will generate an induced emf and hence an electric field. A component of this field will accelerate the particle. Now I have the potential as ##\pi r^2B## where ##r## is the distance from the origin. Now I am having difficulties calculating the electric field. What would be it's direction? Would it be in a concentric circle like induced current? If so, would differentiating w.r.t. r be correct?(since r would not change as potential changes).
 
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WubbaLubba Dubdub said:
Would it be in a concentric circle like induced current?
Sounds right to me. Can you figure out the potential between the two ends of the groove?
 
haruspex said:
Sounds right to me. Can you figure out the potential between the two ends of the groove?
I don't really understand between which points exactly is the potential difference ##-\frac{d\phi}{dt}##. I can only think of it as the potential difference between the point and it's rotation by ##2\pi## radians, which seems nonsensical. But thinking about it this way I find that since the two points are at ##\frac{1}{4}## th rotation of a circle, the potential difference is ##\frac{1}{4} \pi Br^2## where ##r## is ##\frac{L}{\sqrt{2}}##.
 
WubbaLubba Dubdub said:
Now I have the potential as ##\pi r^2B## where ##r## is the distance from the origin.
What do you mean by this statement? The induced electric field is non-conservative, so you don't have a potential so to speak. What you can calculate is the potential difference between two points along some path ##C##:
$$\Delta V = -\int_C \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{s}$$
 
vela said:
The induced electric field is non-conservative
yes, that dawned on me in the middle of the night. The only way is to integrate the force / field along the groove.
 
vela said:
What do you mean by this statement? The induced electric field is non-conservative, so you don't have a potential so to speak. What you can calculate is the potential difference between two points along some path ##C##:
$$\Delta V = -\int_C \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{s}$$
So ##\pi r^2 B ## is the potential difference when ##E## is integrated along a circular path. Assuming magnitude of E to be constant along the circular path ##2\pi r## times ##E## is ##\pi r^2 B##. So ##E## is ##\frac{r}{2}B##. Since you mentioned that the induced field is non-conservative, I guess the path does matter? So the potential difference between the two ends of the groove is
$$\Delta V = -\int_{-\frac{\pi}{4}}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} B\frac{L}{4} \sec(\phi) \cos(\phi) d\phi $$
Here I have written r in terms of ##\phi## which is the angle between the perpendicular bisector of the groove and the position vector. Only the ##\cos(\phi)## component of the Field is taken.
phy forums upload.png


From this ##\Delta V## is ##-\frac{\pi}{8}BL## which is very similar to the pot. difference I got in post#3 but seems dimensionally incorrect :frown:Also sorry for the late reply
 
WubbaLubba Dubdub said:
ΔV is ##-\frac{\pi}{8}BL##
I did not follow how you set up that integral.
anyway, I think there is an easier way. Consider the triangular loop consisting of the groove, then the radius to the centre, then the radius back to the start of the groove.
What is ∫E.dl along the radii? What is the area enclosed? What does that give for ∫E.dl along the groove?
 
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WubbaLubba Dubdub said:
From this ##\Delta V## is ##-\frac{\pi}{8}BL## which is very similar to the pot. difference I got in post#3 but seems dimensionally incorrect.
You integrated ##E\cos\phi\,d\phi##, but you want to integrate ##E \cos\phi\,dx##. You need to write ##dx## in terms of ##d\phi##.
 
haruspex said:
I did not follow how you set up that integral.
anyway, I think there is an easier way. Consider the triangular loop consisting of the groove, then the radius to the centre, then the radius back to the start of the groove.
What is ∫E.dl along the radii? What is the area enclosed? What does that give for ∫E.dl along the groove?
∫E.dl along the radii is zero. The area enclosed is ##\frac{L^2}{4}##. I am guessing this gives ∫E.dl along the groove, although I don't see how.
Anyway I too, noticed something. ##E \cos(\phi)##, where ##\phi## is the angle I marked in my Paint diagram/scribble but forgot to label. So there is a constant field acting on the particle, i.e. a constant force and hence constant acceleration. Using ##v^2 = 2as## I got the correct velocity. What I get when using the area as potential difference is very similar, leading me to believe that the potential is somehow "B" times the area?
 
  • #10
vela said:
You integrated ##E\cos\phi\,d\phi##, but you want to integrate ##E \cos\phi\,dx##. You need to write ##dx## in terms of ##d\phi##.
Ahh thanks ! I knew something was wrong with my integral. But using ##x = \frac{L}{2} \sec\phi## and thus ##dx = \frac{L}{2}\sec \phi \tan \phi## would lead the integral being equal to ##-B\frac{L}{4} \sec \phi##. Putting in the limits I would get zero...
 
  • #11
You mixed up ##r = \frac L2 \sec\theta## and ##x = \frac L2 \tan\theta##. But your observation earlier that the component of the electric field along that path is constant let's you say
$$\Delta V = -\int \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{r} = E_x \int dx = E_x L.$$
(Too lazy to check the signs.)
 
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  • #12
vela said:
You mixed up ##r = \frac L2 \sec\theta## and ##x = \frac L2 \tan\theta##. But you're observation earlier that the component of the electric field along that path is constant let's you say
$$\Delta V = \int \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{r} = E_x \int dx = E_x L.$$
Thanks again! One last question though. Between which two points exactly is the potential difference ##-\frac{d\phi}{dt}## in cases such as these where the magnetic field varies with time. ?
 
  • #13
WubbaLubba Dubdub said:
the potential is somehow "B" times the area?
Yes, that's what ##\int_C\vec E.\vec {ds}=-\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}## says. φ Is the total flux through the area inside the loop C. Bt is the flux density at time t.
 
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  • #14
haruspex said:
Yes, that's what ##\int_C\vec E.\vec {ds}=-\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}## says. φ Is the total flux through the area inside the loop C. Bt is the flux density at time t.
Thank you! This makes much more sense now
 

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