Potential difference of a ring rolling in magnetic field

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the potential difference between points A and O on a ring rolling in a magnetic field. Participants are exploring the implications of magnetic flux and the conditions under which electromotive force (emf) arises in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the existence of a potential difference despite a constant magnetic field and discuss the implications of the ring's motion. They explore the relationship between magnetic flux changes and the resulting emf, considering both translational and rotational motion of the ring.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering various perspectives on the nature of the potential difference and the conditions required for current flow. Some have suggested examining specific paths and the effects of the ring's motion, while others have raised concerns about assumptions regarding the magnetic field and the geometry of the ring.

Contextual Notes

There are ongoing questions about the assumptions made regarding the magnetic field's uniformity and the ring's geometry, particularly the radius designation. Participants are also considering the implications of the ring's motion on the potential difference and current flow.

  • #31
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  • #32
A couple posts were removed by the request of the poster (along with a reply to the posts), and the thread is re-opened for now. Thanks everybody for your patience.
 
  • #33
I deleted my posts (##25 ff.) since my argument was not really relevant. @ergospherical 's explanation is certainly correct but his statement "The assumption of a constant and uniform magnetic field means there is a well defined electric potential field" is IMO not obvious to an introductory physics student. Interestingly, his E field is the irrotational field formed by charge buildup while ## \bf v \times \bf B ## is the induced, and therefore non-conservative component.

Note too that if the observer were to move with the ring then the latter term would be absent, implying in its place a second E field to null the irrotational one. The physics in either case is obviously the same. If this is not accepted then we need to throw out the well-worn dictum that "the net E field in a conductor is zero".
 
  • #34
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  • #35
Sigh, after multiple thread derailments, this thread will remain closed.
 
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