Why Is My Reasoning Incorrect for the Current in the Resistor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter natugnaro
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Conducting Metal
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a problem from Griffiths' "Introduction to Electrodynamics" concerning the current in a resistor connected to a metal bar sliding on parallel conducting rails within a magnetic field. The user initially miscalculates the area A1 as a function of time, leading to an incorrect electromotive force (EMF) calculation. The correct approach involves recognizing that the rate of change of magnetic flux is determined by the instantaneous velocity of the bar, resulting in the formula E = Blv, where l is the distance between the rails and v is the velocity of the bar.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic induction principles
  • Familiarity with magnetic flux calculations
  • Knowledge of the relationship between velocity and electromotive force
  • Basic concepts of calculus, particularly differentiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction in detail
  • Learn about the applications of Lenz's Law in circuit analysis
  • Explore the derivation of the formula E = Blv in various contexts
  • Investigate the effects of changing magnetic fields on induced currents
USEFUL FOR

Students of electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of electromagnetic induction and its applications in circuits.

natugnaro
Messages
61
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



This is a Problem 7.7 fom Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics (3ed)

A metal bar of mass m slides frictionlessly on two parallel conducting rails a
distance l apart. A resistor R is connected across the rails and a uniform magnetic field B, pointing into page, fills the entire region.

If the bar moves to the right at speed v, what is the current in the resistor ?


Homework Equations



[tex]\Phi[/tex]=BACos[tex]\phi[/tex]
[tex]E[/tex]=[tex]\frac{d\Phi}{dt}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



my reasonig is:

magnetic flux is:
[tex]\Phi[/tex]=BACos[tex]\phi[/tex]=BA=B(A0+A1).

A0 is initial surface, and A1 is surface which bar makes moving to the right with spead v.
so:

A1=x*l=v*t*l , but v is also function of t, so: A1=v(t)*t*l

I know that equation for A1 is wrong, becouse when I try to get electromotive froce
I get this:

E=d[tex]\Phi[/tex]/dt=B(0+v'(t)*t+v(t))

in solution manual it's:

E=Bl*dx/dt=Blv

Can someone explain why my reasoning is wrong, it seams logical to me.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
natugnaro said:
A1=x*l=v*t*l , but v is also function of t, so: A1=v(t)*t*l
Setting x = v*t assumes that v is constant.

In any case, what matters is the rate at which flux changes, which depends on the speed at the moment in question:
d(A1) = l*v*dt
d(A1)/dt = l*v, even if v is changing.
 
Last edited:
Ok, than you.
That will help me to answer other question from that problem.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
12K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
16K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K