College Physics : Magnetism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for College Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Magnetism

Suppose that a magnetic field is oriented such that it is pointing directly to the left, as in the picture shown below. If a positively charged particle were to begin traveling through this magnetic field to the right, in which direction would the particle's trajectory begin to curve?

Magnetic field

Possible Answers:

The particle would move into the page

The particle would move out of the page

The particle would move down the page

The particle would continue to move to the right unaffected

Correct answer:

The particle would continue to move to the right unaffected

Explanation:

In order to answer this question, it's important to understand the factors that determine the magnetic force experienced by a charge. We can begin by writing out the equation for magnetic force.

As shown in the above equation, the magnetic force is directly proportional to the particle's charge, its velocity, and the strength of the magnetic field itself. But, for the purposes of the this question, the most important factor is the angle of the particle's velocity with respect to the magnetic field.

Notice that if theta is equal to zero, then the sine of theta will be equal to zero as well. This, in turn, will cause the magnetic force to also be zero. This is also true if we were to define theta as .

Since the particle is moving in a direction that is parallel to the magnetic field lines but in the opposite direction, we have a situation in which theta is equal to . This means that the magnetic force on the particle is zero. As a result, the particle will continue to move through the magnetic field without changing its direction.

Example Question #1 : Electromagnetics

A single string of wire has a resistance of . If the wire is connected to a  power source, what is the strength of the magnetic field  away from the wire?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

So this is all about the magnetic field strength around a current carrying wire.

The equation for this is:

But you must use Ohm's Law  in order to find the current in the wire.

Since the wire has  of resistance and the voltage through the wire is , that means the current in the wire is .

Being sure to change  into , plug everything in and get the answer, which is

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