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Electromagnetic field · The magnetic field

Interaction with moving charges

A magnet does not attract a stationary charge. But as soon as that charge moves, a force appears that deflects it without slowing it down or speeding it up: this is the magnetic force, the same one that makes a motor turn or bends the paths of solar wind particles near the poles.

Before you start, make sure you know: Rectilinear and circular motion (1st Bachillerato)
Before you start, make sure you know: Work (1st Bachillerato)

The Lorentz force: magnitude and direction

If you bring a magnet close to a beam of electrons at rest, nothing happens, but as soon as the electron gun fires them towards a screen, the beam suddenly bends to one side without slowing down: what do the direction and the size of this force, which only appears in motion, depend on?

Lorentz force on a positive charge moving in a magnetic field into the page: the force is perpendicular to the velocity and the charge moves in a circle. + v F ⊗ B into the page F ⊥ v and F ⊥ B: the speed does not change, only its direction → circular path
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An electric charge is at rest inside a uniform magnetic field. The magnitude of the Lorentz force is $F = q\cdot v\cdot B\cdot\sen\alpha$. a) Does any magnetic force act…

An electric charge is at rest inside a uniform magnetic field. The magnitude of the Lorentz force is $F = q\cdot v\cdot B\cdot\sen\alpha$.

  1. a) Does any magnetic force act on it? Justify your answer using the formula.
  2. b) The charge is set in motion in the exact direction of the field ($\alpha = 0^\circ$). Does the answer change? Why?
Solve
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The magnitude of the Lorentz force is $F = q\cdot v\cdot B\cdot\sen\alpha$ and its direction is given by the vector product $\vv{F} = q\cdot(\vv{v}\wedge\vv{B})$, which…

The magnitude of the Lorentz force is $F = q\cdot v\cdot B\cdot\sen\alpha$ and its direction is given by the vector product $\vv{F} = q\cdot(\vv{v}\wedge\vv{B})$, which is determined using the right-hand rule. A proton moves horizontally to the east inside a uniform magnetic field also directed horizontally to the north. The situation, viewed from above, is shown in the figure.

B (north) + v (east) proton F = ? top view
  1. a) Determine the direction and sense of the force acting on the proton.
  2. b) What would the direction of the force be if the particle were an electron? Justify the difference.
Solve
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From the expression for the magnitude of the Lorentz force, $F = q\cdot v\cdot B$ (perpendicular case): a) Rearrange for $B$ and deduce what combination of SI units one…

From the expression for the magnitude of the Lorentz force, $F = q\cdot v\cdot B$ (perpendicular case):

  1. a) Rearrange for $B$ and deduce what combination of SI units one tesla is equivalent to.
  2. b) Using $1\ \text{C/s} = 1\ \text{A}$, express the tesla as $\text{T} = \frac{\text{N}}{\text{A}\cdot\text{m}}$ and explain in your own words what field is required so that a charge of $1\ \text{C}$ moving at $1\ \text{m/s}$ experiences a force of $1\ \text{N}$.
Solve

The magnetic force does no work: circular motion

When a charge enters a uniform field perpendicularly, the Lorentz force acts as the centripetal force and makes it describe a circle of constant radius.

Animation of a charge travelling at constant speed round a circle in an inward-pointing magnetic field: the velocity vector is always tangent, the force always points to the centre and both turn with the charge. × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × = B inward r F v
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The Lorentz force on a moving charge is always perpendicular to its velocity. a) Taking into account that work depends on the component of the force in the direction of…

The Lorentz force on a moving charge is always perpendicular to its velocity.

  1. a) Taking into account that work depends on the component of the force in the direction of displacement, explain why the magnetic force does no work on the charge.
  2. b) What then happens to the speed of the charge?
  3. c) And to its kinetic energy?
Solve
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An electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) enters perpendicularly with $v = 1\cdot10^{7}\ \text{m/s}$ into a uniform magnetic…

An electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) enters perpendicularly with $v = 1\cdot10^{7}\ \text{m/s}$ into a uniform magnetic field $B = 1\cdot10^{-3}\ \text{T}$, as shown in the figure.

× × × × × × × × × B = 1 mT (into the page) electron v r = ?

The radius of its circular trajectory is $r = \frac{m\cdot v}{q\cdot B}$. Calculate its value and express it in centimetres.

Solve
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A proton ($q = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) enters with $v = 3\cdot10^{6}\ \text{m/s}$ into a uniform magnetic field $B = 0,8\ \text{T}$, making an angle…

A proton ($q = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) enters with $v = 3\cdot10^{6}\ \text{m/s}$ into a uniform magnetic field $B = 0,8\ \text{T}$, making an angle $\alpha = 30^\circ$ with it. Observe the diagram:

B + v proton α = 30° F = ?
  1. a) Calculate the magnitude of the Lorentz force, $F = q\cdot v\cdot B\cdot\sen\alpha$ ($\sen 30^\circ = 0,5$).
  2. b) For what angle would the force be maximum? And for which would it be zero?
Solve
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An electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) orbits in a uniform magnetic field $B = 2\cdot10^{-3}\ \text{T}$, with its velocity…

An electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) orbits in a uniform magnetic field $B = 2\cdot10^{-3}\ \text{T}$, with its velocity perpendicular to the field.

  1. a) Equate the Lorentz force to the centripetal force and, using $v = \frac{2\pi\cdot r}{T}$, show that the orbital period is $T = \frac{2\pi\cdot m}{q\cdot B}$.
  2. b) Calculate its value.
  3. c) The result does not contain $v$ or $r$: explain what this means physically.
Solve

Force between currents and on a conductor

When the circuit of two flexible wires hanging in parallel is closed, they are seen to move together if their currents flow in the same direction and to move apart if they flow in opposite directions, even though the wires are neutral: how can one current exert a mechanical force on another?

Two parallel straight conductors a distance d apart, with currents I₁ and I₂ in the same direction, attracting each other with forces F₁₂ and F₂₁ directed towards the other wire. I₁ conductor 1 I₂ conductor 2 d F₂₁ F₁₂ Same direction: they attract
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Two straight parallel conductors carry currents in the same direction. a) Draw in your notebook the magnetic field created by the first conductor at the position of the…

Two straight parallel conductors carry currents in the same direction.

  1. a) Draw in your notebook the magnetic field created by the first conductor at the position of the second (right-hand rule) and the force exerted on the second conductor.
  2. b) Do they attract or repel each other?
  3. c) What changes if the direction of one of the currents is reversed?

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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In a laboratory demonstration, two parallel wires separated by $d = 10\ \text{cm}$ carry currents in the same direction, $I_1 = 20\ \text{A}$ and $I_2 = 30\ \text{A}$.…

In a laboratory demonstration, two parallel wires separated by $d = 10\ \text{cm}$ carry currents in the same direction, $I_1 = 20\ \text{A}$ and $I_2 = 30\ \text{A}$. The force per unit length between them is $\frac{F}{L} = \frac{\mu_0\cdot I_1\cdot I_2}{2\pi\cdot d}$ ($\mu_0 = 4\pi\cdot10^{-7}\ \text{T}\cdot\text{m/A}$). Observe the diagram:

I₁ = 20 A I₂ = 30 A d = 10 cm force per metre = ?
  1. a) Calculate the force per unit length.
  2. b) Do the wires attract or repel each other? Justify your answer.
  3. c) Calculate the total force on a $1\ \text{m}$ section of each wire.
Solve
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A straight conductor of length $L = 40\ \text{cm}$, placed perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field $B = 0,1\ \text{T}$, carries a current $I = 5\ \text{A}$. The…

A straight conductor of length $L = 40\ \text{cm}$, placed perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field $B = 0,1\ \text{T}$, carries a current $I = 5\ \text{A}$. The magnetic force on it is $F = B\cdot I\cdot L$.

  1. a) Calculate its magnitude.
  2. b) Draw the situation in your notebook and determine, using the right-hand rule, the direction and sense of the force relative to the current and the field.
  3. c) If the conductor made an angle of $30^\circ$ with the field, the force would be $F = B\cdot I\cdot L\cdot\sen 30^\circ$; calculate it.
Solve
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High-voltage power lines transport current back and forth along parallel cables. Two of them, separated by $d = 2\ \text{m}$, carry $I = 800\ \text{A}$ in opposite…

High-voltage power lines transport current back and forth along parallel cables. Two of them, separated by $d = 2\ \text{m}$, carry $I = 800\ \text{A}$ in opposite directions ($\mu_0 = 4\pi\cdot10^{-7}\ \text{T}\cdot\text{m/A}$).

  1. a) State, justifying your answer using the right-hand rule, whether the force between the cables is attractive or repulsive.
  2. b) Calculate the force per unit length between them, $\frac{F}{L} = \frac{\mu_0\cdot I_1\cdot I_2}{2\pi\cdot d}$.
  3. c) In a short circuit, the current can reach $10^{4}\ \text{A}$; calculate the new force per unit length and explain why the cables must be securely anchored to the pylons.
Solve

Applications: selector, spectrometer and cyclotron

When a filament is heated, ions are released with a continuous mixture of disordered velocities, but to measure their masses accurately we need all of them to move at exactly the same speed: how can we filter a beam so that only particles with a given velocity get through?

Diagram of a velocity selector with an electric field E and a magnetic field B into the page, crossed: the particle with v = E/B passes through in a straight line without being deflected. E ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ B into the page passes through undeflected if v = E/B

In the next region, a second magnetic field bends the path into a semicircle of radius $r = \dfrac{m\cdot v}{|q|\cdot B}$: since $v$ is already the same for all the selected particles, the radius is determined by the mass. This is how isotopes are separated in a mass spectrometer. In a cyclotron, a fixed magnetic field keeps the radius increasing while an alternating voltage accelerates the particle on each turn, until it reaches the radius of the device.

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In a mass spectrometer, an ion of $\text{He}^+$ ($m = 6,64\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$, $q = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) describes a circular arc of radius…

In a mass spectrometer, an ion of $\text{He}^+$ ($m = 6,64\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$, $q = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) describes a circular arc of radius $r = 12\ \text{cm}$ in a field $B = 0,5\ \text{T}$ perpendicular to its velocity. The situation is shown in the figure.

× × × × × × B = 0,5 T (into the page) He+ v = ? r = 12 cm detector
  1. a) Rearrange for velocity in the expression $r = \frac{m\cdot v}{q\cdot B}$.
  2. b) Calculate its value in standard form.
Solve
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A velocity selector has an electric field $E = 2\cdot10^{4}\ \text{N/C}$ and a magnetic field $B = 0,05\ \text{T}$, perpendicular to each other and to the velocity of…

A velocity selector has an electric field $E = 2\cdot10^{4}\ \text{N/C}$ and a magnetic field $B = 0,05\ \text{T}$, perpendicular to each other and to the velocity of the ions. The electric and magnetic forces balance each other when $q\cdot E = q\cdot v\cdot B$.

Diagram of a velocity selector with perpendicular electric and magnetic fieldsE = 2·10⁴ N/C ↓B = 0,05 T ⊗+++++++−−−−−−−v > v0v < v0+vFm = q·v·BFe = q·EIonbeam (+)v = ?undeflectedUndeflected ions: Fe = Fm ⇒ q·E = q·v·B
  1. a) Solve for the velocity of the ions that pass through the selector without being deflected and calculate it.
  2. b) Does this velocity depend on the charge or mass of the ion? Comment on what this device is used for before a deflection region.
Solve
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A mass spectrometer consists of a velocity selector (perpendicular electric field $E = 5\cdot10^{4}\ \text{N/C}$ and magnetic field $B_1 = 0,1\ \text{T}$) followed by a…

A mass spectrometer consists of a velocity selector (perpendicular electric field $E = 5\cdot10^{4}\ \text{N/C}$ and magnetic field $B_1 = 0,1\ \text{T}$) followed by a region with another magnetic field $B_2 = 0,2\ \text{T}$, perpendicular to the velocity, where the ions move along semicircles. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 ions enter, both with charge $q = e$ ($e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$; atomic mass unit $u = 1,66\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$). The diagram of the apparatus is shown in the figure.

E, B₁ velocity selector v × × × × × × B₂ = 0,2 T (into the page) photographic plate carbon-12 carbon-14 separation = ?
  1. a) Calculate the speed at which the ions emerge from the selector ($q\cdot E = q\cdot v\cdot B_1$).
  2. b) Calculate the radius of the trajectory of each isotope in the deflection region (take the masses as $12\cdot u$ and $14\cdot u$).
  3. c) The ions strike a photographic plate at a distance from the entry point equal to the diameter of their semicircle: calculate the separation between the two marks they leave.
Solve
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A cyclotron accelerates deuterons ($m = 3,34\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$, $q = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) with a magnetic field $B = 1,2\ \text{T}$ perpendicular to the…

A cyclotron accelerates deuterons ($m = 3,34\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$, $q = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) with a magnetic field $B = 1,2\ \text{T}$ perpendicular to the plane of the trajectories. The diagram of the cyclotron is shown in the figure.

D D AC voltage · · · · B = 1,2 T (out of the page) output beam R = 0,5 m f = ?
  1. a) The alternating generator must be synchronised with the orbital frequency, $f = \frac{q\cdot B}{2\pi\cdot m}$; calculate it and express it in megahertz.
  2. b) The particles emerge when their radius reaches the radius of the device, $R = 0,5\ \text{m}$; calculate their maximum speed using $r = \frac{m\cdot v}{q\cdot B}$.
  3. c) Calculate the kinetic energy with which the deuterons emerge.
Solve

Helical motion: the Van Allen belts

When the velocity is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the field, but makes some angle $\alpha$ with it, it is convenient to split it into a component parallel to $\vv{B}$ (which experiences no force, and therefore does not change) and a perpendicular component (which goes round in a circle). The result is a helix: the charge moves at constant velocity in the direction of the field while spiralling around it.

Animation of the helical path of a charged particle: the particle follows the helix, advancing at uniform velocity along the axis of the magnetic field while spiralling around it, with the pitch indicated. pitch

The Van Allen belts trap charged particles from the solar wind in the Earth's magnetic field: as they approach the poles the field increases, the radius of the path ($r = m v_\perp/(|q|B)$) decreases and the helix "winds" tighter and tighter, until the particle bounces back.

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A proton ($m_p = 1,67\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$) and an electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$) enter with the same speed, perpendicularly, into the same uniform…

A proton ($m_p = 1,67\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$) and an electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$) enter with the same speed, perpendicularly, into the same uniform magnetic field.

  1. a) Write down the ratio $\frac{r_p}{r_e}$ of the radii of their trajectories and calculate its value.
  2. b) Taking into account that $T = \frac{2\pi\cdot m}{q\cdot B}$, calculate also the ratio of their periods and comment on which particle orbits faster.
Solve
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A proton ($m_p = 1,67\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) enters with $v = 2\cdot10^{6}\ \text{m/s}$ into a uniform magnetic field…

A proton ($m_p = 1,67\cdot10^{-27}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) enters with $v = 2\cdot10^{6}\ \text{m/s}$ into a uniform magnetic field $B = 0,1\ \text{T}$, making an angle of $60^\circ$ with it, so that it describes a helical trajectory ($\sen 60^\circ \approx 0,87$; $\cos 60^\circ = 0,5$). Observe the diagram:

B 60° v radius = ? pitch = ?
  1. a) Resolve the velocity into its components parallel and perpendicular to the field.
  2. b) Calculate the radius of the helix, determined by the perpendicular component.
  3. c) Calculate the orbital period, $T = \frac{2\pi\cdot m}{q\cdot B}$, and the pitch (the distance it advances in the direction of the field per revolution).
Solve
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The Van Allen belts trap charged particles in the Earth's magnetic field, which is much weaker than laboratory fields. An electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$,…

The Van Allen belts trap charged particles in the Earth's magnetic field, which is much weaker than laboratory fields. An electron ($m_e = 9,11\cdot10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$, $e = 1,6\cdot10^{-19}\ \text{C}$) moves at $v = 3\cdot10^{7}\ \text{m/s}$ in the equatorial region, where $B = 3\cdot10^{-5}\ \text{T}$, with its velocity perpendicular to the field.

  1. a) Calculate the radius of its trajectory, $r = \frac{m\cdot v}{q\cdot B}$.
  2. b) At latitudes near the poles, the field is twice as strong, $B = 6\cdot10^{-5}\ \text{T}$; calculate the radius there.
  3. c) Relate the results to the fact that the trajectories of the trapped particles become more tightly coiled as they approach the poles.
Solve
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A proton ($m_p$, $q_p = e$) and an alpha particle ($m_\alpha = 4\cdot m_p$, $q_\alpha = 2\cdot e$) enter with the same velocity, perpendicularly, into the same uniform…

A proton ($m_p$, $q_p = e$) and an alpha particle ($m_\alpha = 4\cdot m_p$, $q_\alpha = 2\cdot e$) enter with the same velocity, perpendicularly, into the same uniform magnetic field.

  1. a) Calculate the ratio $\frac{r_\alpha}{r_p}$ of the radii of their trajectories.
  2. b) Calculate the ratio $\frac{T_\alpha}{T_p}$ of their orbital periods.
  3. c) Repeat the ratio of radii assuming that both particles enter with the same kinetic energy (use $v = \sqrt{\frac{2\cdot E_c}{m}}$ in the expression for the radius) and comment on whether a mass spectrometer could separate them in each of the two cases.
Solve

Back to the start: An electric motor turns because the opposite currents flowing along the two sides of a loop experience magnetic forces in opposite directions, producing a torque that makes it rotate continuously.

Summary

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