Magnetic force, finding angle between velocity and magnetic field

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the magnetic force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field. The original poster presents a scenario with a 3 microcoulomb charge moving at 10 m/s in a magnetic field defined by B = 0.3i - 0.4j, seeking to determine the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the electromagnetic force equation to find the angle theta, questioning the correctness of their approach. They express uncertainty about the role of the electric field in the problem.
  • Some participants suggest recalculating the angle using the magnitude of the magnetic field and the cross product, while others point out the absence of an electric field in this context.
  • There is a discussion about how changing the direction of the charge's velocity to the +z direction might affect the components of the magnetic field and the resulting force.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and corrections regarding the equations being used. There is no explicit consensus yet, as participants are exploring different interpretations and approaches to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster's expected results for the angles and forces may not align with their calculations, raising questions about potential errors in the setup or assumptions made regarding the electric field.

scholio
Messages
159
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



a 3 microcoulomb charge having a speed of 10m/s is fired into a region of constant magnetic field where B is given by:

B = 0.3i - 0.4j

a) the magnitude force on the charge is found to be 2*10^-6 Newtons. what is the angle between v and B?

b) if the direction of v is changed so that the charge moves along the +z direction at a speed of 10m/s, what would be the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force in this case?i am supposed to get 7.66 degrees for part a, and 15*10^-6 Newtons at 36.9 degrees for part b

Homework Equations



radius r = mv/qB where m is mass, v is velocity, q is charge, B is magnetic field

electromagnetic force, F = qE + qv X B where X indicates cross product, E is electric field

The Attempt at a Solution



part a:

using F = qE + qv X B ----> find theta
F = qE + qv X B
2*10^-6 = (3*10^-6E) + ((3*10^-6)(10)(0.3i - 0.4j)sin(theta))
sin(theta) = 2*10^-6 - 3*10^-6E/((3*10^-6)(10)(0.3i - 0.4j))
theta = inverse sin((2*10^-6 - 3*10^-6E)/(9*10^-6i - 1.2*10^-5j)) holding electric field E constant

is this the correct approach to find theta?

i haven't started part b yet, but i am assuming theta changes to (theta from part a + 90 degrees) and i just substitute that new theta into the electromagnetic force equation to solve for force.

is my approach for part a, correct? how about part b? or am i using the wrong equation?

i am supposed to get 7.66 degrees for part a, and 15*10^-6 Newtons at 36.9 degrees for part b

any help appreciated
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
hint: the magitude of v is already given, you have to calculate the magnitude of B then find theta by:
F = q(v X B) = q|v||B|sin(theta)

hope this helps

fizikx
 
While your general statement of the force on an electric charge is correct, there is no electric field implied in this problem. You can just set E = 0.
 
oh you a right, that equation was right in front of me, must've forgotten.

F = qvB sin(theta) --> find theta
2*10^-6 = (3*10^-6)(10)(0.3i -0.4j) sin(theta)
sin(theta) = (2*10^-6)/(9*10^-6i - 1.2*10^-5j)
theta = inverse sine [(2*10^-6)/(9*10^-6i - 1.2*10^-5j)]
theta = inverse sine[(2*10^-6)/(-3*10^-6)]
theta = inverse sine(-0.667)
theta = -41.83 degrees

i must've done something wrong with the denominator in terms or i and j. i am supposed to get 7.66 degrees. what do i need to fix?

as for part b, how will the fact the charge moves along the +z axis, affect the components of the given magnetic field B?
 
The magnetic field B = 0.3i - 0.4j. Its magnitude is [(0.3)^2 + (0.4)^2]^1/2 = 0.5 T
Using this find the angle.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
833
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
2K