Chapter 28: Problem 63
An electron that has an instantaneous velocity of $$ \vec{v}=\left(-5.0 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\right) \hat{\mathrm{i}}+\left(3.0 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\right) \hat{\mathrm{j}} $$ is moving through the uniform magnetic field \(\vec{B}=(0.030 \mathrm{~T}) \hat{\mathrm{i}}-\) \((0.15 \mathrm{~T}) \hat{j}\). (a) Find the force on the electron due to the magnetic field. (b) Repeat your calculation for a proton having the same velocity.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Write down the formula for magnetic force
Determine the cross product \( \vec{v} \times \vec{B} \)
Calculate the force on the electron
Repeat the calculation for a proton
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Magnetic Field
- **Directionality:** The direction of a magnetic field is determined with the use of 'right-hand rule', which relates to how the field curls around a current-carrying conductor.
- **Uniformity:** In this scenario, the magnetic field is described as 'uniform', meaning it has the same strength and direction at every point in space within the area considered.
- **Effect on Particles:** When a charged particle enters a magnetic field, it experiences a force perpendicular to both its velocity and the magnetic field direction.
Electron Motion
- **Velocity:** The velocity of an electron is a vector indicating the direction and speed of its motion. In the given exercise, the electron's velocity is specified with components along the \(\hat{i}\) and \(\hat{j}\) directions.
- **Lorentz Force:** According to the Lorentz Force Law, \(\vec{F} = q(\vec{v} \times \vec{B})\), an electron under a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to the direction of its velocity and the magnetic field. For electrons, this cross product is crucial in determining the resultant force direction as they carry a negative charge.
- **Implications:** When an electron enters a magnetic field, it tends to follow a helical trajectory. The behavior is pivotal in magnetic confinement fusion and designing electron mass spectrometers.
Proton
- **Charge Characteristics:** Protons possess a charge of the same magnitude as electrons (1.6 \(\times\) 10^{-19} C) but are positively charged.
- **Effect of Magnetic Fields:** When a proton moves in a magnetic field, it experiences a force perpendicular to its path and magnetic field, as governed by the Lorentz force equation \(\vec{F} = q(\vec{v} \times \vec{B})\).
- **Comparison with Electrons:** Despite moving with the same speed as in the given problem, the force direction observed is opposite to that of an electron due to the opposite charge sign.
- **Applications:** Protons in magnetic fields are foundational in technologies like cyclotrons, used in particle physics research, and medical treatments through proton beam therapy.
Vector Cross Product
- **Basics of Cross Product:** For vectors \(\vec{A} = A_i \hat{i} + A_j \hat{j}\) and \(\vec{B} = B_i \hat{i} + B_j \hat{j}\), the cross product \(\vec{A} \times \vec{B} = (A_i B_j - A_j B_i) \hat{k}\) provides a resultant vector along the third perpendicular axis \(\hat{k}\).
- **Physical Interpretation:** In the context of the Lorentz force, this product indicates how the velocity of a charge, and the magnetic field direction interact to produce a resultant force vector.
- **Right-Hand Rule:** This rule aids in determining the direction of the vector product: if the fingers follow the velocity and curl towards the magnetic field, the thumb points in the force vector direction.
- **Application Example:** When referred back to the original problem, finding \(\vec{v} \times \vec{B}\) gives the specific orientation of the force experienced by charged particles like electrons and protons.