AP Physics C Homework - Magnetism
Objectives/HW
1
2
3
4
5
The student will be able to:
Define and illustrate the basic properties of magnetic fields and permanent
magnets: field lines, north and south poles, magnetic compasses, Earth’s
magnetic field.
Solve problems relating magnetic force to the motion of a charged particle
through a magnetic field, such as that found in a mass spectrometer.
Solve problems involving forces on a current carrying wire in a magnetic field
and torque on a current carrying loop of wire in a magnetic field, such as that
found in a motor.
State and apply the Biot-Savart Law and solve such problems that relate a
magnetic field to the current that produced it.
State and apply Ampere’s Law and Gauss’s Law for magnetic fields and solve
related problems such as those involving parallel wires, solenoids, and toroids.
HW:
1–2
3 – 10
11 – 18
19 – 24
25 – 40
1. An iron nail is rubbed against a magnet and becomes magnetized in the process. The nail is hung by a long
thread and allowed to rotate about its center. It is found that the sharp end of the nail points geographically
southward. (a) Which end of the magnetic nail is the north pole? (b) A magnetic compass brought close to
the nail would point toward which end of the magnetic nail? (c) Make a sketch of the nail showing its poles
and the magnetic field that it produces.
2. Suppose two identical bar magnets are laid side by side and parallel to one another a few centimeters apart
on a table. Sketch the field in the plane of the table for each case: (a) the north poles face the same
direction and (b) the north poles face opposite directions. Hint: use the superposition principle and also
imagine which way a compass would point.
3. A uniform magnetic field of 0.250 mT points horizontally eastward in a certain volume of space. A particle
with charge 50.0 nC is located in this volume. Determine the magnetic force on this particle if it moves
with velocity: (a) 10.0 m/s vertically upward, (b) 20.0 m/s horizontally northward, (c) 20.0 m/s horizontally
30.0 ° north of east, (d) 30.0 m/s horizontally westward.
4. A beam of electrons is observed to move in a circular path with radius 3.7 cm in the presence of a uniform
magnetic field of 1.6 mT. The electrons have a speed of 1.0 × 107 m/s. This information is used to solve for
the properties of the electron. (a) Solve for the ratio of the charge on the electron to its mass. (e/m = ?) (b)
Use the accepted value of the charge on an electron to solve for its mass based on this data. (c) Make a
sketch showing the circular path of the electrons and the correct orientation of the magnetic field that would
result in such a path.
5. Derive a formula for the frequency with which a charged particle moves in a circular path when traveling in
a plane perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field.
6. Consider the effect of a magnetic field on a charged particle. (a) In what circumstances, if any, does a
magnetic field increase the speed of a charged particle. Explain. (b) Explain why it is not possible for a
magnetic field to do work on a charged particle.
7. The aurora borealis is caused by charged particles colliding with the atoms in the Earth’s
atmosphere. Before the collision the charged particles are thought to “spiral in” along Earth’s magnetic
field. Suppose such a particle has an energy of 2.0 keV and the magnetic field in that region has magnitude
0.40 G. Solve for the radius of its helical path if the particle is: (a) an electron or (b) a proton.
8. Magnetic fields are used inside a picture tube to control the stream of electrons emitted by the electron
gun. Suppose the electrons are accelerated by a potential difference of 18 kV. In order to cause the stream
to follow the curved path shown below, what must be the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
assuming it to be constant between the gun and the screen?
9. One type of mass spectrometer uses the layout shown below. The dots represent a uniform magnetic field
of 0.800 T out of the page. The parallel arrows represent an electric field of 200 kV/m. Suppose the source
emits hydrogen ions and isotopes are detected at radii of 3.26 mm and 6.56 mm. (a) Find the velocity
required of ions to pass through the electric field without being deflected. (b) Find the masses of the two
isotopes.
10. Refer to the diagram in the previous problem. Suppose singly ionized chlorine atoms are emitted by the
source and that two isotopes are present: 17Cl35 (m = 5.85 × 1026 kg) and 17Cl37 (m = 6.18 × 1026 kg). The
fields are B = 0.50 T and E = 40.0 kN/C. (a) What is the distance between the two points where the ions hit
the detector? (By how much are the ions separated?) (b) What design changes would make a mass
spectrometer like this one more sensitive to differences in mass? Explain.
11. A uniform magnetic field of 0.300 mT points in the positive x-direction. A wire of length 20.0 cm lies in
the xy-plane and passes through the field carrying a current of 75.0 mA. Determine the force on this section
of wire if the current is directed toward: (a) 0.0, (b) 30.0, (c) 90.0, (d) 120.0, (e) 180.0.
12. A vertical wire 3.00 m long stretches from floor to ceiling and carries a current of 5.00 A upward. Earth’s
magnetic field in the room has magnitude 52.5 μT and lies in a north-south plane but points downward at an
angle of 65.0 relative to horizontal. (a) Determine the net force on this section of wire. (b) Repeat for a
horizontal wire 5.00 m long with a current of 3.00 A flowing from south to north.
13. A rectangular loop of wire consisting of 100 turns is hung from a scale’s hook. The scale indicates it
weighs 1.20 N. The bottom end of the loop, which if 3.00 cm wide, is placed between the poles of a
horseshoe magnet where the magnetic field is 0.95 T. (a) Estimate the amount of current that must flow in
the loop in order for the scale’s reading to drop to zero. (b) Make a sketch showing how the horseshoe
magnet should be positioned relative to the loop and its current in order to achieve this. Label the poles of
the magnet. (c) What will the scale read if the magnet is then rotated 45 about a vertical axis.
14. The diagram below illustrates a bar magnet and four currents in its vicinity. Current I1 parallels the
magnet. Current I2 runs across one end. Current I3 passes behind and midway between the poles. The axis
of the square loop current I4 is aligned with the axis of the magnet. Describe in specific but qualitative
terms the net force and/or net torque on each current.
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
15. A rectangular loop of wire, dimensions 10.0 cm × 5.00 cm, lies in a nonuniform magnetic field, as shown in
the diagram below. The magnitude of the magnetic field is given by B = 0.25/y, where B is inmT and y is in
centimeters (it does not vary in the x-direction). The field points into the page. Determine the net force on
the loop of wire if: (a) it carries a current of 2.00 A clockwise, (b) it carries a current of 4.00 A
counterclockwise.
16. A square coil of wire has sides of length 3.00 cm and 80.0 turns and lies in the xy-plane. The coil lies in a
magnetic field of 0.100 T directed in the positive y-direction. (a) Determine the torque on the coil if it
carries a current of 2.00 A in a clockwise direction. (b) Suppose the coil rotates 30.0 in the direction of the
torque – find the new value of the torque’s magnitude.
17. Suppose the coil in the previous problem is a rectangular coil that has an area equal to that of the
square. Make the width and length any appropriate combination of values (so that area is 9 cm2). (a)
Calculate the amount of force on each side of the rectangular coil. (b) Use the force values to calculate the
torque about a horizontal axis and show that the result is the same as part (a) of the previous problem.
18. A demonstration motor is formed by winding 300.0 turns in a circular loop of diameter 1.50 cm. The loop
can turn around an axle of diameter 2.00 mm as shown in the diagram below. The loop is placed in a
uniform magnetic field of 0.25 mT. The entire rotor assembly has mass 50.0 g and the coefficient of friction
between axle and support is 0.050. (a) Estimate the maximum possible angular acceleration if the current is
set at 3.00 A (use moment of inertia I = ½ MR2). (b) What is the minimum current that can set the rotor into
motion?
19. A current of 3.00 A flows through a segment of wire from the origin to a point with coordinates: (0.500 m,
0). Determine the magnetic field produced by this segment at positions in the xy-plane: (a) (0.250 m, 0.100
m), (b) (0.250 m, 0.200 m), (c) (0.500 m, 0.200 m), (d) (0.750 m, 0).
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
20. Repeat the previous problem for an infinitely long current of the same amount running in a positive
direction all along the x-axis and compare to the results for the finite current. At which position are the two
values closest to one another? Why?
21. A square shaped coil of wire has 30.0 turns and sides of length 10.0 cm. (a) Determine the magnetic field at
the precise center of the square if a current of 4.00 A is sent clockwise through the coil. (b) Would the
center be the location of the maximum field strength? If not, where do you think the field would be greatest
and why? Support your response either way.
22. Suppose you want to create a magnetic field of 5.00 mT at the center of a circular coil of wire with radius
3.00 cm that carries a current of 2.00 A. (a) How many turns are required? (b) If the wire is copper with
diameter 0.300 mm, what voltage battery would be needed to achieve this level of current?
23. Examine the figure shown below, which shows a continuous loop of current. Find the magnetic field at
point P as a function of current I and radii a and b.
24. Determine the magnetic field at the tip of the cone shown below. A current I loops the base in a circle of
radius R. Express the result in terms of I, R, θ, and fundamental constants.
25. A long straight wire of diameter 1.60 mm carries a current of 10.0 A. Find the magnetic field strength at
distances from the center: (a) r = 0.400 mm, (b) r = 0.800 mm, and (c) r = 1.20 mm.
26. Examine the currents in the diagram and determine the result of the integral
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
for each path shown.
27. Two long parallel wires carry the same amount of current, I, and are separated by distance a. One wire runs
along the z-axis and the other is at x = a. Both currents are in the positive z-direction. (a) Sketch the
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
resulting magnetic field in the xy-plane. (b) Derive an expression for the magnetic field at any point x along
the x-axis. (c) Find the magnetic field at coordinates (a/2, a/2, 0).
28. Repeat the previous problem but this time the wire at x = a has current I in the negative z-direction.
29. A long wire carrying a current of 4.00 A is arranged vertically in a room, stretching from floor to
ceiling. When held anywhere on the east side of the wire, the compass points precisely north, as shown in
the diagram (an overhead view). Given the Earth’s magnetic field in this room is 0.500 G, north, determine
the direction the compass will point when held: (a) 5.00 cm north of the wire and (b) 10.0 cm north of the
wire. (c) At what position(s) relative to the wire would a compass point due south?
30. A certain coaxial cable has a conducting wire running down the center and a conducting cylindrical
“sheath” surrounding the wire, as shown in cross section below (not to scale). Suppose a current 2Iflows
through the center wire and a current I flows in the opposite direction through the sheath. (a) Determine the
magnetic field as a function of r, the radial distance from the center. (b) Sketch the graph of magnetic field
vs. radial distance.
31. Refer to the diagram from the previous problem. Suppose at each end of the cable the wire is electrically
connected to the sheath and the two conducting parts of the cable carry a total current of 10.0 Ain one
direction. Use dimensions of a = 1.00 mm, b = 4.00 mm, and c = 5.00 mm. Find the magnetic field
strength at each distance from the center: (a) r = 0.500 mm, (b) r = 4.00 mm, and (c) r = 4.50
mm. Hint: you must determine what fraction of the total current flows in each part of the cable.
32. A long straight wire carries a current of 15 A along the x-axis in a positive direction. An electron at
position r = 0.10 j m has velocity 2.0 × 107 i m/s. (a) Find the magnetic field at the electron’s position. (b)
Find the acceleration of the electron. (c) Find the instantaneous radius of curvature of the resulting path of
the electron’s motion. (d) Sketch the path the electron would follow.
33. A long straight wire is taped to the floor and carries a current of 20.0 A. A second wire is located 1.00 cm
directly above and parallel to the first wire. (a) Find the force per length on the second wire if it carries 10.0
A in the same direction as the other current. (b) If the second wire has mass per length 0.12 g/cm, what
current would be required in it to cause it to “levitate” above the first wire (without any other means of
suspension)?
34. The power cord for a certain household device consists of two parallel wires separated by 3.5 mm. When in
use, the cord carries 5.0 A “down and back” – the same amount flowing in opposite directions. (a) Find the
force per length and describe as attraction or repulsion. (b) If the power cord is 2.0 m long, estimate the
total amount of force on each strand. (c) Household power is alternating current, which means that the
direction of the current reverses periodically. Describe and explain qualitatively the effect this would have
on the forces in this question.
35. A current of 10.0 A flows in a long straight wire. A rectangular coil of wire with 100 turns and width and
length 5.00 cm × 10.0 cm is brought near the wire as shown in the diagram. The coil carries 5.00 A. (a)
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
Determine the magnitude of the net force on the coil if x = 2.00 cm. (b) At what value of x would the force
on the wire equal half the force on the coil found in part (a). (c) In what direction should the current in the
coil flow if the wire is to be repelled by the coil?
36. A certain cylindrical solenoid has length 10.0 cm, radius 2.00 cm, and 275 turns of wire. (a) Estimate the
magnetic field inside this solenoid if it carries a current of 3.00 A. (b) What current in this solenoid would
be needed to produce a field of 0.100 T?
37. A student plans to make a solenoid using copper wire of diameter 0.644 mm (22 gauge) that has an
insulating coating of negligible thickness. The wire will be wrapped around a cardboard tube of diameter
4.20 cm and length 28.0 cm (from a roll of paper towels). The solenoid will be wrapped as tightly as
possible with single loops from one end to the other. The solenoid will be powered by a 6.00 V battery with
internal resistance 1.50 Ω. (a) How many turns will fit on the tube? (b) What length of wire is needed for
the project? (c) What strength magnetic field can be produced? (d) If a stronger magnetic field than this is
desired should the student use wire with a greater or lesser diameter? Explain.
38. An electromagnet is formed by wrapping a solenoid around an iron core. Iron is a ferromagnetic material in
which motions of the electrons can become aligned, producing a strong net magnetic field (by
superposition). The field formed by the current in the solenoid causes the alignment to occur. Suppose an
electromagnet with 35 turns per centimeter carries 0.20 A current and produces a field of 0.90 T with the
core in place. (a) Find the magnetic field that would be produced without the core in place. (b) By what
factor does the core increase the strength of the magnet? (c) What type(s) of motion must the electrons
inside the core undergo to explain this increase? Explain.
39. A toroidal solenoid consists of wire loops in the form of a donut shape (a torus). It also may be imagined as
a flexible cylindrical solenoid that has been bent into a circular ring so that the ends meet. The solenoid
has N turns of wire and inner radius R1 and outer radius R2 as shown below. Use Ampere’s Law to solve for
the magnetic field as a function of r, the perpendicular distance from the axis of the torus.
40. A certain toroidal solenoid has characteristics of N = 500 turns, R1 = 5.00 cm, R2 = 8.00 cm, I = 5.00 A. (a)
Find the minimum and maximum magnetic field strength that occurs inside the torus. (b) Make a careful
sketch of the graph B vs. r.
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
Answers:
1. a. b. c.
2. a. b.
3. a. 1.25 × 1010 N, north
b. 2.50 × 1010 N, down
c. 1.25 × 1010 N, down
d. 0
4. a. 1.69 × 1011 C/kg
b. 9.5 × 1031 kg
(4.1% error)
c.
5.
6. a. b.
7. a. 3.8 m
b. 160 m
8. 9.4 G, into the page
9. a. 250 km/s, right
b. 1.67 × 1027 kg (1H1)
3.36 × 1027 kg (1H2)
10. a. 6.6 mm
b.
11. a. 0
b. 2.25 k μN
c. 4.50 k μN
d. 3.90 k μN
e. 0
12. a. 0.333 mN, west
b. 0.714 mN, east
13. a. 0.42 A
b.
c. 0.35 N
14. I1 net force = 0,
net torque in j dir.
I2 net torque = 0,
net force in +i dir. (depending on length)
I3 net torque = 0,
net force in i dir.
I4 net torque = 0,
net force in k dir.
15. a. 10 j μN
b. 21 j μN
16. a. 0.0144 i Nm
b. 0.0125 i Nm
17.
18. a. 11 rad/s2
b. 1.8 A
19. a. 5.57 k μT
b. 2.34 k μT
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
c. −1.39 k μT
d. 0
20. 6.00 k μT, 3.00 k μT,
−3.00 k μT
21. a. 1.36 mT into page
b.
22. a. 119
b. 10.6 V
23.
, into page
24.
, up
25. a. 1.25 mT
b. 2.50 mT
c. 1.67 mT
26. a. −1.3 × 10−6 Tm
b. 1.3 × 10−6 Tm
c. −1.3 × 10−5 Tm
d. −1.5 × 10−5 Tm
e. 0
27. a.
b.
c.
28. a.
b.
c.
29. a. 17.7° Wof N
b. 9.1° W of N
c. r <1.6 cm W of wire
30. a.
b.
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS
31. a. 1.00 G
b. 0.500 G
c. 2.33 G
32. a. 3.0 × 10−5 k T
b. 1.1 × 1014 j m/s2
c. 3.8 m
d.
33. a. 4.00 × 10−3 N/m, down
b. 294 A, opp. dir.
34. a. 1.4 mN/m, repulsion
b. 2.9 mN
c.
35. a. 2.08 mN
b. 3.54 cm
c. CCW
36. a. 10.4 mT
b. 28.9 A
37. a. 434
b. 58.2 m
c. 2.61 mT
d.
38. a. 0.88 mT
b. 1000 times
c.
39.
40. a. 6.25 mT, 10.0 mT
b.
Source: Milligan Physics Farragut HS