AP Physics 2 : Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 2

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Magnetic Force

A particle is moving parallel to a uniform magnetic field. Which of the following statements are true?

Possible Answers:

The magnetic field is exerting no force on the particle

The particle will rotate around a point in the magnetic field

The particle experiences the most force possible in the setup

The particle has no net charge

None of the other statements are certain

Correct answer:

The magnetic field is exerting no force on the particle

Explanation:

The force experienced by a charged particle in a magnetic field is 

This means that when a charge particle is moving perpendicular to the field, due to the cross-product, it experiences the most amount of force (because  is equal to , and theta equals  when it's perpendicular). This means that the charged particle will experience no force due to the magnetic field when it's parallel. We know there will be no force on the particle, and we also know that uncharged particles experience no force in magnetic fields, but we can't say for certain the particle has no net charge, only being told that it's moving parallel to the field.

Example Question #1 : Magnetic Force

 Rail system

 

A rail system is formed in a magnetic field directed out of the page as diagrammed above. The rod remains in contact with the rails with zero friction as it moves to the right at a constant velocity of  due to an external force. The distance from one rail to the other is 0.087m. The rails and the rod have no resistance, but the resistor has a resistance of 0.0055 Ohms. The magnetic field has a magnitude of 0.035T. What is the magnitude and direction of the external force required to keep the rod moving at a constant velocity?

Possible Answers:

 to the left

 to the right

 to the right

 to the left

No force is necessary since the rod is moving at a constant velocity

Correct answer:

 to the right

Explanation:

The rod acts as a battery due to its motion in the magnetic field: . Because there is a closed circuit, this results in current flow:

In this simple circuit, the current is the same everywhere, so the same current flows through the rod. Because of this current, the rod feels a force:

By the right-hand rule, this magnetic force is directed to the left, so the external force must be directed to the right. It is interesting to note that the power dissipated in the resistor:

 is the same as the power provided by the outside force:

The universe conspires to conserve energy.

Example Question #1 : Magnetic Force

If a 10C charged particle is traveling perpendicularly to a magnetic field of 5T at a speed of , what is the force experienced by this charged particle?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question is presenting us with a scenario in which a charged particle is traveling with a certain velocity through a magnetic field. In this situation, we're being asked to determine what the force experienced by this particle is.

To solve this question, we'll need to determine what kind of force this particle is likely to experience. Since we're told that the particle is traveling in a magnetic field, it would make sense that this particle is going to be affected by a magnetic force. Thus, we'll need to use the equation for magnetic force.

Moreover, since we're told in the question stem that this particle is traveling perpendicularly to the magnetic field, we know that  and thus . This helps reduce the equation down.

Now, all we need to do is plug in the values given to us in order to calculate the resulting force.

Example Question #1 : Magnetic Force

A charged particle, Q, is traveling along a magnetic field, B, with speed v. What is the magnitude of the force the particle experiences?

Possible Answers:

Zero

Correct answer:

Zero

Explanation:

Charged particles only experience a magnetic force when some component of their velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field. Here, the velocity is parallel to the magnetic field so the particle does not experience a force. 

Example Question #21 : Electricity And Magnetism

Mass of electron:

An electron enters a magnetic field at velocity and experiences a force of . Determine the magnetic field.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the magnetic force equation:

Plug in known values and solve for 

Example Question #11 : Magnetic Force

Simple circuit mag field

What direction of force would a negative charge at location  moving left experience due to the magnetic field?

Possible Answers:

Down, towards the bottom of the screen

Out of the screen

Up

To the left

Into the screen

Correct answer:

Down, towards the bottom of the screen

Explanation:

Using the right hand rule for a current carrying wire shows that the magnetic field is pointing out of the screen. Using the right hand rule for magnetic force on a negatively charged particle shows the force acting downward.

Example Question #27 : Electricity And Magnetism

Which of the following conditions is not needed in order for a particle to experience a magnetic force?

Possible Answers:

The particle must be moving in a direction that is neither parallel or antiparallel to the direction of an external magnetic field

All of these conditions are needed for a magnetic force to act on a particle

The particle must have a charge

There must be a current

The particle must be of a certain size

Correct answer:

The particle must be of a certain size

Explanation:

In this question, we're asked to determine which answer choice falsely represents a necessary condition for a magnetic force to act on a particle.

To answer this, it is useful to look at the equation for magnetic force.

What this equation shows is that the magnetic force on a particle is dependent upon that particle's charge, its velocity, and on the strength of the magnetic field. Already we can rule out a few of the answer choices.

Additionally, this equation also shows that  cannot be equal to zero. What this means is that the particle's direction of motion cannot be along the magnetic field lines. In other words, the particle cannot be travelling in a direction that is parallel or antiparallel with the magnetic field.

Lastly, we can see that no where in the above equation is there a variable for the size of the particle. Thus, size is not a requirement for a particle to experience a magnetic force.

Example Question #23 : Electricity And Magnetism

 

Two electrons are traveling parallel to each other  apart. The distance between them is perpendicular to their motion. One of them is on a track that prevents it from moving side to side. The other one is able to movie in all directions. At what velocity would the magnetic attractive force equal the repulsive electric force?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Using

 

Where

 is the charge limited to traveling in a single dimension

 is the free charge

 is the distance between the charges

 is the velocity of the first charge

 is the velocity of the second charge

 is the value of the first charge

 is the value of the second charge

 and  are equivalent as the charges are running parallel to each other

Combining equations:

Solving for 

Plugging in values:

Example Question #24 : Electricity And Magnetism

A proton is traveling parallel to a wire in the same direction as the conventional current. The proton is traveling at . The current in the wire is . The proton and the wire are  apart. Determine the magnetic force on the proton.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Finding the magnetic field at the location of the proton.

Converting  to  and plugging in values

Using

Example Question #671 : Ap Physics 2

A circuit contains a  battery and a  resistor in series. Determine the magnitude of the magnetic force outside of the loop  away from the wire on an electron that is stationary.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

None of these

Explanation:

Since the electron is stationary, there will be no magnetic force, as magnetic force requires the particle to be both charged and to be moving.

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