Magnetic fieldB is a vector field created by moving charges.
Unit: Tesla (T) = N/(A·m) = kg/(A·s²)
Also: Gauss (G) where 1 T = 10⁴ G
Earth's field: ~0.5 G = 5 × 10⁻⁵ T
Sources of Magnetic Fields
📚 Practice Problems
1Problem 1easy
❓ Question:
An electron (q = -1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C, m = 9.11×10⁻³¹ kg) moves at 2.0×10⁶ m/s perpendicular to a 0.50 T magnetic field. Find (a) the magnetic force, (b) the radius of its circular path.
Magnetic fields, forces on moving charges, forces on current-carrying wires, torque on current loops
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Start by reading the study notes and working through the examples on this page. Then use the flashcards to test your recall. Practice with the 3 problems provided, checking solutions as you go. Regular review and active practice are key to retention.
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Permanent magnets: Aligned atomic magnetic moments
Moving charges: Create B field
Current-carrying wires: Moving charges → B field
Electromagnets: Coils of wire with current
Magnetic Poles:
North and South (like charges, but no magnetic monopoles!)
Like poles repel, opposite poles attract
Field lines: N → S outside magnet
Force on Moving Charge
F=qv×B
Magnitude:
F=qvBsinθ
where θ is angle between v and B.
Direction: Right-Hand Rule #1
Point fingers along v (velocity)
Curl fingers toward B (field)
Thumb points along F (force) for positive charge
For negative charge: Force is opposite!
Key Points:
θ=90°: Maximum force (F=qvB)
θ=0° or 180°: No force (parallel or anti-parallel)
Force is perpendicular to both v and B
No work done (F ⊥ v, so F·v = 0)
Circular Motion in B Field
If v⊥B, charge moves in circle!
Magnetic force provides centripetal force:
qvB=rmv2
Radius of orbit:r=qBmv
Period:T=v2πr=qB2πm
Frequency (cyclotron frequency):
f=T1=2πmqB
💡 Note: Period and frequency are independent of v and r!
Applications: Mass Spectrometer
Separates ions by mass:
Ions accelerated through V
Enter perpendicular B field
Radius depends on m/q ratio
Heavier ions have larger radius
r=B1q2mV
Force on Current-Carrying Wire
Current = moving charges, so wire in B field experiences force!
F=IL×B
Magnitude:
F=BILsinθ
where:
I = current (A)
L = length of wire in field (m)
θ = angle between wire and B field
Direction: Right-Hand Rule #2
Point fingers along current direction
Curl toward B
Thumb = force direction
Maximum force: Wire perpendicular to B (F=BIL)
No force: Wire parallel to B
Force Between Parallel Wires
Two parallel wires carrying currents:
LF=2πdμ0I1I2
where:
μ0=4π×10−7 T·m/A (permeability of free space)
d = distance between wires
Same direction currents: Attract
Opposite direction currents: Repel
💡 This defines the Ampere! 1 A = current that produces 2×10⁻⁷ N/m force between parallel wires 1 m apart.
Torque on Current Loop
Rectangular loop (sides a and b) in B field:
τ=NIABsinθ
where:
N = number of turns
I = current
A = area of loop
θ = angle between normal to loop and B field
Magnetic dipole moment: μ=NIA (A·m²)
τ=μBsinθ
Maximum torque: Loop perpendicular to B (θ=90°)
Equilibrium: Loop parallel to B (θ=0°)
Applications: Electric Motor
Current through loop in B field
Torque rotates loop
Commutator reverses current every half-turn
Continuous rotation!
Magnetic Field of Long Straight Wire
B=2πrμ0I
Direction: Right-Hand Rule #3 (Grip Rule)
Thumb along current
Fingers curl around wire → B field direction
Field forms circles around wire.
Magnetic Field of Solenoid
Long coil of wire (N turns, length L):
Inside (uniform field):
B=μ0nI=μ0LNI
where n = N/L = turns per unit length
Outside: B ≈ 0
Solenoid is like bar magnet with N and S poles!
Problem-Solving Strategy
Identify: Charge or current in B field?
Find angleθ between v (or I) and B
Calculate magnitude: F = qvB sinθ or F = BIL sinθ
Find direction: Right-hand rule
For circular motion: Use r = mv/qB
Common Mistakes
❌ Forgetting sin θ term
❌ Wrong right-hand rule (for negative charges)
❌ Confusing E and B field formulas
❌ Saying magnetic force does work (it doesn't! F ⊥ v)
❌ Using v when parallel to B (F = 0)
❌ Wrong units (convert G to T, cm to m)
1.6
×
10−19
Mass: m=9.11×10−31 kg
Velocity: v=2.0×106 m/s
B field: B=0.50 T
Angle: θ=90° (perpendicular)
Part (a): Magnetic force
F=∣q∣vBsinθ=(1.6×10−19)(2.0×106)(0.50)(1)F=1.6×10−13 N
(Direction: Use right-hand rule, then reverse for negative charge)
A straight wire carries 10 A current. A 0.30 m section lies perpendicular to a 0.80 T magnetic field. What is the magnetic force on this section?
💡 Show Solution
Given:
Current: I=10 A
Length: L=0.30 m
B field: B=0.80 T
Angle: θ=90° (perpendicular)
Solution:
Force on current-carrying wire:
F=BILsinθ=(0.80)(10)(0.30)(1)F=
Direction: Use right-hand rule #2
Fingers along current
Curl toward B field
Thumb = force direction
Answer: F = 2.4 N
3Problem 3hard
❓ Question:
A rectangular loop (10 cm × 5 cm) with 20 turns carries 3.0 A current. It is placed in a 0.40 T field with its plane at 30° to the field. Find the torque on the loop.
Step 2: Find angle θ.
If plane is at 30° to field, then normal to plane is at 60° to field!
θ=90°−30°=60°
Step 3: Calculate torque.
τ=NIABsinθτ=(20)(3.0)(
Answer: τ = 0.052 N·m = 52 mN·m
(Torque tends to align loop with field)
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Yes, this page includes 3 practice problems with detailed solutions. Each problem includes a step-by-step explanation to help you understand the approach.