Magnetic Fields

1 (a) Define the tesla.

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(b) Two long straight vertical wires X and Y are separated by a distance of 4.5 cm, as
illustrated in Fig. 5.1.

4.5 cm
wire X wire Y

Q R

P S

6.3 A

Fig. 5.1

The wires pass through a horizontal card PQRS.

(i) On Fig. 5.1, sketch, in the plane PQRS, the magnetic flux pattern due to the current
in wire X. Show at least four flux lines. [3]
 (ii) The magnetic flux density B at a distance x from a long straight current-carrying
wire is given by the expression

μ 0I
B =
2πx

where I is the current in the wire and μ0 is the permeability of free space.

Calculate the magnetic flux density at wire Y due to the current in wire X.

flux density = .............................................. T [2]

(iii) A current of 9.3 A is now switched on in wire Y. Use your answer in (ii) to calculate
the force per unit length on wire Y.

force per unit length = ....................................... N m–1 [2]

(c) The currents in the two wires in (b)(iii) are not equal.
Explain whether the force per unit length on the two wires will be the same, or different.

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2 (a) Define the tesla.

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(b) A horseshoe magnet is placed on a balance. A stiff metal wire is clamped horizontally
between the poles, as illustrated in Fig. 5.1.

horseshoe
magnet

stiff metal
wire

balance pan

Fig. 5.1

The magnetic flux density in the space between the poles of the magnet is uniform and
is zero outside this region.
The length of the metal wire normal to the magnetic field is 6.4 cm.

When a current in the wire is switched on, the reading on the balance increases by 2.4 g.
The current in the wire is 5.6 A.

(i) State and explain the direction of the force on the wire due to the current.

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 (ii) Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic flux density between the poles of the
magnet.

flux density = ...............................................T [2]

(c) A low frequency alternating current is now passed through the wire in (b).
The root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of the current is 5.6 A.

Describe quantitatively the variation of the reading seen on the balance.

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3 Positively charged particles are travelling in a vacuum through three narrow slits S1, S2 and
S3, as shown in Fig. 5.1.

S1 S2 S3

beam of
charged
particles

direction of
electric field

Fig. 5.1

Each particle has speed v and charge q.

(a) State the expression for the force F acting on a charged particle due to

(i) the magnetic field,

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(ii) the electric field.

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(b) The electric field acts downwards in the plane of the paper, as shown in Fig. 5.1.
State and explain the direction of the magnetic field so that the positively charged
particles may pass undeviated through the region between slits S2 and S3.

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4 (a) State what is meant by a magnetic field.

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(b) A charged particle of mass m and charge +q is travelling with velocity v in a vacuum.
It enters a region of uniform magnetic field of flux density B, as shown in Fig. 5.1.

region of
magnetic field

path of
charged particle

Fig. 5.1

The magnetic field is normal to the direction of motion of the particle. The path of the
particle in the field is the arc of a circle of radius r.

(i) Explain why the path of the particle in the field is the arc of a circle.

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(ii) Show that the radius r is given by the expression

[2]
(c) A thin metal foil is placed in the magnetic field in (b).
A second charged particle enters the region of the magnetic field. It loses kinetic energy
as it passes through the foil. The particle follows the path shown in Fig. 5.2.

region of
uniform
magnetic field

foil

Fig. 5.2

(i) On Fig. 5.2, mark with an arrow the direction of travel of the particle. [1]

(ii) The path of the particle has different radii on each side of the foil.
The radii are 7.4 cm and 5.7 cm.
Determine the ratio

final momentum of particle

for the particle as it passes through the foil.

ratio = ................................................ [2]