Magnetic Forces acting upon a slider on rails

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of a metal slider on frictionless conducting rails under the influence of a magnetic field. Given a magnetic field strength of 3.0T and a current of 5.0A, the force on the current-carrying conductor is determined using the formula F = BIl, where the length of the conductor is 0.1m. This results in a force of 1.5N, leading to an acceleration of 3.75m/s² when divided by the mass of 0.40kg. The direction of the acceleration can be determined using Fleming's left-hand rule, indicating whether it moves towards or away from the battery. The key takeaway is that the slider does experience acceleration due to the magnetic force acting on it.
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A 0.40kg metal slider is sitting on smooth (frictionless) conducting rails as shown below. What is the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the slider?
Magnetic Fields.jpg

Given,

B = 3.0T I = 5.0A m = 0.40kg
R = either 0.1m or 0.05m, I am not sure if you half it because its a raidius.

How can you figure out the acceleration of the slider?
or would the acceleration be zero since the rail with the current hading left would counteract the rail with the current heading right? therefore acceleration = 0 and magnitude would not be applicable?

I'm not sure what to do here
thanks in advance for any help!
 
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What is the expression of the force on the current carrying conductor in a magnetic field?
0.1 m is the distance between the rails. It is also the length of the conductor sliding on the rails.
 
rl.bhat said:
What is the expression of the force on the current carrying conductor in a magnetic field?
0.1 m is the distance between the rails. It is also the length of the conductor sliding on the rails.

The expression is F=BIl
so F=(3.0T)(5.0A)(1.0m)= 15N.
Then using F=ma the acceleration would be
a=F/m=(15N)/(0.40kg)=37.5m/s^2
so if that is the acceleration, then Which way would it accelerate? Towards the battery or away?
 
Sorry the length is 0.1m so that would give a force of 1.5N and an acceleration iof 1.5/0.4=3.75m/s^2
in which direction ?
 
Use Flemming's left hand rule to find the direction of the force.
 
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