Magnetic Force to balance out Electric Force

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the uniform magnetic field required for an electron to travel in a straight line between two parallel plates under the influence of an electric field. The electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 2.0 kV and enters a gap with a potential difference of 130 V and a separation of 20.0 mm. The derived formula for the magnetic field B is B = (V2/d)√(m/(2qV1)), where V1 is the initial potential and V2 is the potential between the plates. The correct magnetic field value calculated is approximately 2.67 x 10-4 T when using specific values for the electron's charge and mass.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields, specifically E = V/d.
  • Familiarity with the Lorentz force equation, F_B = qv × B.
  • Knowledge of the work-energy theorem, W = K.
  • Basic concepts of particle physics, particularly properties of electrons.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Lorentz force and its applications in electromagnetic fields.
  • Learn about the behavior of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.
  • Explore the principles of potential difference and its effects on particle acceleration.
  • Investigate the implications of fringing fields in parallel plate configurations.
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as educators and anyone involved in teaching or learning about the behavior of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.

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Homework Statement



In the figure (see attatched), an electron accelerated from rest through potential difference 2.0 kV enters the gap between two parallel plates having separation 20.0 mm and potential difference 130 V. The lower plate is at the lower potential. Neglect fringing and assume that the electron's velocity vector is perpendicular to the electric field vector between the plates. What uniform magnetic field allows the electron to travel in a straight line in the gap?
(answer is in Telsa, and the field is in the positive-k direction.)

Homework Equations



When a system is in equilibrium,
[tex]\sum F=0[/tex]

Magnetic (Lorentz?) Force is given by:
[tex]F_B=qv\times B[/tex]

Electric Force is given by:
[tex]F=qE[/tex]

The electric field produced by parallel plates is:
[tex]E=\frac{V}{d}[/tex]

The work-energy theorem states that W=K.
For electric potential, W=qV.
[tex]K=\frac{mv^2}{2}[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution



Finding the Velocity of the Electron as it enters the gap:
K=W
[tex]\frac{1}{2}mv^2=qV_1[/tex]
where V_1 is the potential through which the electron is accelerated.
Isolate v to get
[tex]v=\sqrt{\frac{2qV_1}{m}}[/tex]

Onward:
We want a situation of equilibrium where [tex]F_B=F_E[/tex].
So [tex]qv\times B=qE[/tex]
the q's cancel, and the cross product is maximum, so
[tex]vB=E[/tex]
plug in the velocity which we found above and the electric field of parallel plates to get
[tex]\sqrt{\frac{2qV_1}{m}}B=\frac{V_2}{d}[/tex]
where V_2 is the potential between the two plates.
Isolate B to get
[tex]B = \frac{V_2}{d}\sqrt{\frac{m}{2qV_1}}[/tex]

Now plug in my numbers
[tex]B = \frac{130}{20\times10^{-3}}\sqrt{\frac{9.109\times10^{-31}}{(2)(1.602\times10^{-19})(2000)}}=2.45\times10^{-4}T[/tex]
Wrong:frown:

Doubly odd because when I used the values:
particle=electron
V_1=1.0kV
d=20.0mm
V_2=100V

I got the correct answer of 2.67e-4 T.
Weird...
 

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Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I can't find your mistake, if there even is one.
 
Thanks, nice to know it's not another one of my "redface" errors.
I guess I'll take it up with my professor, ask him to check that WebAssign is expecting a reasonable answer.
 

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