Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
University Physics Volume 2

Challenge Problems

University Physics Volume 2Challenge Problems
Search for key terms or text.

Challenge Problems

102.

A particle of charge +q and mass m moves with velocity v→0v→0 pointed in the +y-direction as it crosses the x-axis at x = R at a particular time. There is a negative charge –Q fixed at the origin, and there exists a uniform magnetic field B→0B→0 pointed in the +z-direction. It is found that the particle describes a circle of radius R about –Q. Find B→0B→0 in terms of the given quantities.

103.

A proton of speed v = 6×105m/s6×105m/s enters a region of uniform magnetic field of B = 0.5 T at an angle of q=30°q=30° to the magnetic field. In the region of magnetic field proton describes a helical path with radius R and pitch p (distance between loops). Find R and p.

104.

A particle’s path is bent when it passes through a region of non-zero magnetic field although its speed remains unchanged. This is very useful for “beam steering” in particle accelerators. Consider a proton of speed 4×106m/s4×106m/s entering a region of uniform magnetic field 0.2 T over a 5-cm-wide region. Magnetic field is perpendicular to the velocity of the particle. By how much angle will the path of the proton be bent? (Hint: The particle comes out tangent to a circle.)

The particle enters the region with field from the left with a horizontal velocity to the right. It exits at an angle theta above the horizontal (right) direction. The region with field is 5 cm wide.
105.

In a region a non-uniform magnetic field exists such that Bx=0,By=0,andBz=ax,Bx=0,By=0,andBz=ax, where a is a constant. At some time t, a wire of length L is carrying a current I is located along the x-axis from origin to x = L. Find the magnetic force on the wire at this instant in time.

106.

A copper rod of mass m and length L is hung from the ceiling using two springs of spring constant k. A uniform magnetic field of magnitude B0B0 pointing perpendicular to the rod and spring (coming into the page in the figure) exists in a region of space covering a length w of the copper rod. The ends of the rod are then connected by flexible copper wire across the terminals of a battery of voltage V. Determine the change in the length of the springs when a current I runs through the copper rod in the direction shown in figure. (Ignore any force by the flexible wire.)

An illustration of the problem. The copper rod is horizontal and hangs from springs at either end. A current I flows to the right through the rod. A field B points into the page in a region width w.
107.

The accompanied figure shows an arrangement for measuring mass of ions by an instrument called the mass spectrometer. An ion of mass m and charge +q is produced essentially at rest in source S, a chamber in which a gas discharge is taking place. The ion is accelerated by a potential difference VaccVacc and allowed to enter a region of constant magnetic field B→0.B→0. In the uniform magnetic field region, the ion moves in a semicircular path striking a photographic plate at a distance x from the entry point. Derive a formula for mass m in terms of B0,B0, q, Vacc,Vacc, and x.

A schematic of the mass spectrometer. The source is at the bottom. Particles are accelerated by the potential difference V acc, then enter a region in which there is only a uniform magnetic field B naught. In that region, the particles follow a clockwise semicircular trajectory of diameter x.
108.

A wire is made into a circular shape of radius R and pivoted along a central support. The two ends of the wire are touching a brush that is connected to a dc power source. The structure is between the poles of a magnet such that we can assume there is a uniform magnetic field on the wire. In terms of a coordinate system with origin at the center of the ring, magnetic field is Bx=B0,By=Bz=0,Bx=B0,By=Bz=0, and the ring rotates about the z-axis. Find the torque on the ring when it is not in the xz-plane.

A circular, vertical loop with current flowing in it is between the poles of a magnet with a horizontal gap.
109.

A long-rigid wire lies along the x-axis and carries a current of 2.5 A in the positive x-direction. Around the wire is the magnetic field B→=2.0i^+5.0x2j^,B→=2.0i^+5.0x2j^, with x in meters and B in millitesla. Calculate the magnetic force on the segment of wire between x = 2.0 m and x = 4.0 m.

110.

A circular loop of wire of area 10 cm2 carries a current of 25 A. At a particular instant, the loop lies in the xy-plane and is subjected to a magnetic field B→=(2.0i^+6.0j^+8.0k^)×10−3T.B→=(2.0i^+6.0j^+8.0k^)×10−3T. As viewed from above the xy-plane, the current is circulating clockwise. (a) What is the magnetic dipole moment of the current loop? (b) At this instant, what is the magnetic torque on the loop?

PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 27, 2025 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.