This magnet question confounds me

  • Thread starter Thread starter lodovico
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Magnet
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the correct graph that represents the relationship between the magnetic field (B-field) and the radius (R) of a charged particle moving at a constant velocity (v). The two choices debated were Choice H, depicting a linear relationship, and Choice J, representing an inverse relationship (1/x). The correct conclusion, supported by the equations Fc = mv²/r and Fb = qvB, indicates that as the B-field increases, the radius decreases, confirming that the appropriate graph is the (1/x) shape, also known as the Larmor Radius.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic fields and their effects on charged particles
  • Familiarity with the equations of motion for circular motion
  • Knowledge of the Lorentz force and its components
  • Basic graph interpretation skills
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of the Larmor Radius in detail
  • Learn how to derive relationships between magnetic fields and particle motion
  • Explore the implications of the Lorentz force in different scenarios
  • Practice graphing inverse relationships in physics
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for AP Physics exams, educators teaching electromagnetism, and anyone interested in the dynamics of charged particles in magnetic fields.

lodovico
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Today, my teacher gave us some practice AP multiple choice and my friend and I were debating between answer choices H and J (changed from A and B to remove any confusion) the question as i remember it:
blah blah... B-field into the page, constant velocity v, radius R and charge q. which graph shows the relationship between B-field and radius.. something with radius getting smaller as B-field gets larger

Choice H: this is a straight line coming from +y crossing the +x axis (basically a straight negative slope)

Choice J: the (1/x) graph with x>0



Homework Equations


Fc = mv^2/r
Fb= qvB


The Attempt at a Solution



Fc=Fb
\frac{mv^2}{r}=qvB
\frac{mv}{r}=qB
since mv and q are constants, is it ok to treat them as 1? that is what i did so...

\frac{1}{r}=B
\frac{1}{B}=r

since on the graphs r was the y-axis and B was the x-axis

i chose the (1/x) shaped graph
 
Physics news on Phys.org
lodovico said:

Homework Statement


Today, my teacher gave us some practice AP multiple choice and my friend and I were debating between answer choices H and J (changed from A and B to remove any confusion) the question as i remember it:
blah blah... B-field into the page, constant velocity v, radius R and charge q. which graph shows the relationship between B-field and radius.. something with radius getting smaller as B-field gets larger

Choice H: this is a straight line coming from +y crossing the +x axis (basically a straight negative slope)

Choice J: the (1/x) graph with x>0



Homework Equations


Fc = mv^2/r
Fb= qvB


The Attempt at a Solution



Fc=Fb
\frac{mv^2}{r}=qvB
\frac{mv}{r}=qB
since mv and q are constants, is it ok to treat them as 1? that is what i did so...

\frac{1}{r}=B
\frac{1}{B}=r

since on the graphs r was the y-axis and B was the x-axis

i chose the (1/x) shaped graph


Yes, it is known as the Lamor Radius:

http://www-fusion.ciemat.es/fusionwiki/index.php/Larmor_radius

:smile:
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
39
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K