Problem in magnetic effects of current

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
4 replies · 2K views
logearav
Messages
329
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



a long straight wire carries a current of 2A. an electron travels with a speed of 4*10^4 m/s parallel to the wire at a distance of 0.1 metre from it. what force does the magnetic field exert on the moving electron

Homework Equations


what formula should i use? is it f= BqV SIN[tex]\theta[/tex] or f= BIl sin[tex]\theta[/tex]
or f=4*3.14*10^-7* I1*I2* L)/(2*3.14*a)
he attempt at a solution[/b]


 
Physics news on Phys.org
logearav said:

Homework Equations


what formula should i use? is it f= BqV SIN[tex]\theta[/tex] or f= BIl sin[tex]\theta[/tex]
or f=4*3.14*10^-7* I1*I2* L)/(2*3.14*a)
he attempt at a solution[/b]
A reasonable question. Here's a hint: does the question ask for the force on a single charge, or the force on a current-carrying wire?
 
Redbelly98 said:
A reasonable question. Here's a hint: does the question ask for the force on a single charge, or the force on a current-carrying wire?

"a long straight wire carries a current of 2A. an electron travels with a speed of 4*10^4 m/s parallel to the wire at a distance of 0.1 metre from it. what force does the magnetic field exert on the moving electron"
the problem is like this. nothing mentioned extra.
 
To make my point clearer:
what formula should i use? is it f= BqV SIN[tex]\theta[/tex]
That is the force on a charge q moving with speed V.

... or f= BIl sin[tex]\theta[/tex]
This is the force on a wire of length l and current I.

... or f=4*3.14*10^-7* I1*I2* L)/(2*3.14*a)
This one is the force between two wires of length L.

So, to figure out which equation applies here, you need to figure out if you need the force on a single charge, the force acting on a single wire, or the force acting between a pair of wires.