Torque on a Disk in a Magnetic Field (E&M)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the torque on a disk in a magnetic field, specifically for a scenario involving bugs carrying electric charge. The problem states that 1000 bugs per second, each with a charge of +0.001 Coulomb, emerge from the center of a disk with a radius of 0.5 meters, while a magnetic field with a flux density of B = 0.1r² acts upward. The correct torque calculated is 0.00156 n-m. Key equations used include τ = rFsinθ and F = q(V x B), leading to the conclusion that the current is derived from the charge of the bugs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic principles, specifically torque in magnetic fields.
  • Familiarity with the equations of motion for charged particles in magnetic fields.
  • Knowledge of calculus for integrating functions related to magnetic flux density.
  • Basic concepts of electric charge and current calculation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of torque in magnetic fields using the equation τ = rFsinθ.
  • Learn about the Lorentz force and its application in calculating forces on charged particles.
  • Explore integration techniques for functions representing magnetic flux density.
  • Investigate the relationship between current, charge, and time in electrical circuits.
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, as well as engineers working with electromagnetic devices and systems.

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Hi, I've been struggling on this homework problem for quite a few hours now and would really appreciate a pointing in the right direction. It's a fairly entertaining problem that I'm getting stuck on in several places.

1. Homework Statement

The problem goes:
"An erratic engineer, who lives in a residence infested by small, fast bugs, conceives the device shown as a method of driving a disk. The bugs are taught to climb up the axle of the disk, emerge through a hole O at its center, and run radially outward at constant velocity. At the edge, the bugs fall off and drop into a tray. By means of a seat emf not shown, each bug acquires an electric positive charge as it ascends, and carries the charge with it as it runs across the disk. A magnetic field of flux density varying with radius according to B= 0.1r2 acts upward over the disk.

Suppose that 1000 bugs/sec emerge from O, each carrying charge +0.001 Coulomb, and move out radially. The radius of the disk is 0.5 meters.

a) Find the torque on the disk.

The given answer is 0.00156 n-m.

Homework Equations


τ=rFsinθ
F=q(V x B)
τ=IBAsinθ
F=I(ℓ x B)

The Attempt at a Solution


So, I've tried this several ways.
Here's the one I think is in the right direction:

I used both the equation for torque and the one for magnetic force.
So I get:
τ = r * qVB (since θ=90 by right hand rule)
τ = r * qV ∫ 0.1 r2 dr (and integrate from 0 to 0.5m)
τ = r * q * V * (0.5)3/3
τ = 0.5m * q * V * (0.5)3/3

Then, I have a problem. I'm fairly sure that q = 0.001C x 1000, but I could be wrong.
In any case, I'm stuck with V, and as far as I can see there's no way to find the velocity, since I'm given neither V nor time of travel of the bugs.

Am I missing something obvious? Thanks!

**diagram attached**
2moOVnA.png
 
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Nevermind. I solved it.
Was missing the fact that current = 1000 bugs/sec x 0.001 C/bug

Using that I was able to use dF=IBdr and plug that into dT=rdF.
 

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