Magnetic Field Help - Physics Problem Solutions

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion addresses three physics problems related to magnetic fields and forces acting on charged particles. Problem 1 involves calculating the magnetic field strength required for an electron to pass between charged plates without deflection, using the relationship between electric and magnetic forces. Problem 2 focuses on determining the radius and pitch of an electron's spiral trajectory in a magnetic field, applying the right-hand rule and relevant equations. Problem 3 examines the current flowing through two springs affected by a magnetic field, highlighting discrepancies between calculated and textbook values.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and magnetic fields
  • Familiarity with the right-hand rule for magnetic forces
  • Knowledge of the equations of motion for charged particles in magnetic fields
  • Basic principles of spring mechanics and Hooke's Law
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between electric fields and magnetic fields in charged particle motion
  • Learn how to apply the right-hand rule in various scenarios involving magnetic forces
  • Explore the equations for circular motion of charged particles in magnetic fields
  • Investigate the principles of electromagnetism related to current-carrying conductors and magnetic fields
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, as well as anyone involved in solving problems related to charged particle dynamics in magnetic fields.

Camronnba
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Magnetic Field Help

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, when it comes to physics, I am the stupidiest person on Earth. Thus I have three questions, if someone could walk me through them I would be so thankful it would be ridiculous.

Problem 1.
An electron travels with speed 1.0 x 10^7 m/s between two parallel charged plates. The plates are separated by 1.0 cm and are charged by a 200 V battery. What magnetic field strength and direction will allow the electron to pass between the plates without being deflected?
(for this one I thought that if electrons travel parallel or antiparallel to a magnetic field it will always allow the electron to move. Like I said before I'm a physics idiot)

Problem 2.
The uniform 30 mT fiel points in the positive z direction. An electron enter the region of magnetic field with a speed 5.0 x 10^6 m/s and at an angle of 30 degrees above the xy plane. Find the radius r and the pitch p of the electron's spiral trajectory.
(I have no clue on this one)

Problem 3.
Two springs each have a spring constant of 10 N/m. They are stretched 1.0 cm when a current passes through the wire. How big is the current?
Note: Magnetic field is 0.5 T, and length of wire is 20cm
(for this one, I found the magnitude of the spring force, multiplied that by 2 since there are two springs. I then set that equal to the F(magnetic field) which is defined by ILB. I then isolated to solve for I. I get an answer of 20A, but my textbook gives an answer of 2.0A. This would lead me to believe my error is small, or that the answer in the book is wrong)

Whowever can help me with these I would be very appreciative, thanks for your time!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
prob.0: you'll get better help from forum regulars with a "positive" attitude than with a "pity me" plea.

prob.1: see in your diagram that there's an E-field in the gap, pointing
from the +Q on one plate to the -Q on the other plate. Compute this E-field.
Which way would this E-field deflect an electron?
Which way should you arrange the B-field to point, in the gap, so that
the magnetic Force cancels the Electric Force?

prob.2: You DO know the right-hand rule, right? Circular motion (mv^2/r)?

prob.3: how many turns of spring are there?
 
p3. That information is not given, and I didn't think it was relevant because it is not a solenoid question?

and as far as the right hand rule goes, I have heard it but I am unsure of how it truly works.
 
point your right hand (fingers together, straight) in the direction of qv .
these are electrons, so qv is OPPOSITE their velocity
(qv is in the direction of the Indicated current ...)

Sweep your fingers only (keeping hand in place) to point in direction of local B.
You usually have to rotate your wrist around the qv axis to do this.
Fingers sweep through the angle "theta" in F = qv x B = qvB sin(theta).

Thumb sticks out perpendicuklar to hand and fingers, points in direction of F.

The springs themselves are carrying the current?
adjacent coils ATTRACT one another, so it should SHORTEN.
My guess was that there must be an external B-field, pushing on EACH coil.
 
What I did for problem 1, was use E=V/d to calculate the electic field. I then set that equal to qvB. When I solve for B I get an answer that is way too large. I think my mistake is in using E as F. What other calculations need to be done here?
 
For Problem 2, just use the equation:

r= \frac{m*v}{q*B}

except that we just want the velocity perpendicular to the B-field, so we use the equation:

r= \frac{m*v*cos(\pi/6)}{q*B}

Not sure how to find the pitch though. I'm thinking maybe something like:
p = r*tan(pi/6)

If you can figure out the second part, please post.

Graham
 

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K