Two rails and a rod (magnetic field)

[lalala_land89]

Homework Statement

Two stiff parallel wires a distance L apart in a horizontal plane act as rails to support a light metal rod of mass m(perpendicular to each rail). A magnetic field B, directed out of the page(textbook page) acts throughtout. At t=0 , wires connected to the rails are connected to a constant current-source and a current I begins to flow through the system. East to the bottom rail, north to the rod , west to the upper rail. Determine the speed of the rod as a function of time a) assuming there's no friction b) there's friction cofficient U c) In which direction does the rod move, east or west , if the current through it is north?

Homework Equations

a) x=vt ? b) mechanical equaction Ffr= U Fn ?? c) west

I'm lost with this. help please.

 

[siddharth]

a) x=vt ?

Why do you think that is the answer? Do you have any thoughts/ideas on how to approach this problem?

 

[Meir Achuz]

The force on the wire is ILB. Then apply F=ma.