AP Physics C Electricity : Calculating Magnetic Fields and Forces

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics C Electricity

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Calculating Magnetic Fields And Forces

An infinitely long wire has a current of  running through it. Calculate the magnetic field at a distance  away from the wire.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For infinitely long wires, the formula for the magnetic field is , where  is the current and  is the distance from the wire.

The magnetic field is calculated using our given values.

Example Question #1 : Calculating Magnetic Fields And Forces

A solenoid is  long and it is made up of  turns of wire. How much current must run through the solenoid to generate a magnetic field of  inside of the solenoid?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The formula for the magnetic field inside the solenoid is , where  is the number of turns of wire,  is the length of the solenoid, and  is the current.

We want to find the current so we solve for .

Plug in the values.

Example Question #201 : Ap Physics C

Two parallel wires a distance  apart each carry a current , and repel each other with a force  per unit length. If the current in each wire is doubled to , and the distance between them is halved to , by what factor does the force per unit length change?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Relevant equations:

Step 1: Find the original and new magnetic fields created by wire 1 at wire 2, using Ampere's law with an Amperian loop of radius  or , respectively.

Original

New

Since the wires are parallel to each other and wire 1's field is directed circularly around it, in each case wire 1's field is perpendicular to wire 2.

 

Step 2: Find the original and new magnetic forces per unit length on wire 2, due to the field created by wire 1.

Original

New

 

So, the new force per unit length is 8 times greater than the original.

Example Question #1 : Calculating Magnetic Fields And Forces

A region of uniform magnetic field, , is represented by the grey area of the box in the diagram. The magnetic field is oriented into the page.

Ps0_movingqinbfield

A stream of protons moving at velocity is directed into the region of the magnetic field, as shown. Identify the correct path of the stream of protons after they enter the region of magnetic field.

Possible Answers:

A semi-circular path oriented horizontally out of the page

A semi-circular path oriented vertically upward

A semi-circular path oriented horizontally into the page

A semi-circular path oriented vertically downward

Correct answer:

A semi-circular path oriented vertically upward

Explanation:

The magnetic force on a moving charged particle is given by the equation:

Isolating the directional component of this equation yields the understanding that the resulting force on a moving charged particle is perpendicular to the plane of the velocity vector and magnetic field vector. Using the right-hand-rule on this cross-product shows that the velocity vector right-crossed into the magnetic field vector into the page yields a magnetic force vector upward on a positive charge. This will result in a semi-circular path oriented vertically upward.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors