Group of partcles in a magnetic field

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a group of particles moving in a magnetic field, where the forces acting on a proton and an electron are analyzed to determine the magnetic field's magnitude and direction. The context is rooted in electromagnetism, specifically the interaction of charged particles with magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the formula F=qvxB and attempt to manipulate it to find the magnetic field components. There are questions about the derivation of equations used and the assumptions made regarding the magnetic field's properties.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the equations needed to calculate the magnetic field, while others are questioning the validity of certain steps taken in the calculations. The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of the problem being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the exact values and directions of the magnetic field components, which participants are trying to resolve. The original poster's attempts at using the formula have not yielded success, prompting further inquiry into their methodology.

TheWire247
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Homework Statement



A group of particles is traveling in a magnetic field of unknown magnitude and direction. You observe that a proton moving at 1.60 km/s in the + x-direction experiences a force of 2.10×10−16 N in the + y-direction, and an electron moving at 4.30 km/s in the - z-direction experiences a force of 8.50×10−16 N in the +y-direction.

A) What is the magnitude of the magnetic field?

B) What is the direction of the magnetic field? (in the xz-plane) (from the -ve z direction)

C) What is the magnitude of the magnetic force on an electron moving in the - y-direction at 3.40 km/s?

D) What is the direction of this the magnetic force? (in the xz-plane) (from the -ve x direction)

Homework Equations



F=qvxB

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using the above formula to no success
 
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TheWire247 said:

Homework Statement



A group of particles is traveling in a magnetic field of unknown magnitude and direction. You observe that a proton moving at 1.60 km/s in the + x-direction experiences a force of 2.10×10−16 N in the + y-direction, and an electron moving at 4.30 km/s in the - z-direction experiences a force of 8.50×10−16 N in the +y-direction.

A) What is the magnitude of the magnetic field?

B) What is the direction of the magnetic field? (in the xz-plane) (from the -ve z direction)

C) What is the magnitude of the magnetic force on an electron moving in the - y-direction at 3.40 km/s?

D) What is the direction of this the magnetic force? (in the xz-plane) (from the -ve x direction)

Homework Equations



F=qvxB

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using the above formula to no success

You tried; okay, can you show us your attempt?
 
F=qvxB

F/q=vxB

F/q=1600i x B

F/q=-1600j + 1600k

(2.1x10-16/1.6*10-19)/1600 = B

Then used Pythagoras to calculate the magnitude of B
 
TheWire247 said:
F/q=1600i x B

F/q=-1600j + 1600k

Where does this 2nd equation come from? You don't know what \mathbf{B} is; that's what you're supposed to calculate.

What you do know is that \mathbf{F}=q_{\text{proton}}(1600\text{km/s})\mathbf{i}\times \mathbf{B}=(-2.1\times 10^{-16}\text{N})\mathbf{j} as well as a similar equation for the force that the electron experiences.

I'd suggest that you let \mathbf{B}=B_x\mathbf{i}+B_y\mathbf{j}+B_z\mathbf{k} and carry out the cross product in both your equations and compare terms to solve for the components of \mathbf{B}
 

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