Suggested Solution to Electromagnetism

Level 1
1. The direction of the B-field due to the current is determined using right hand grip rule
(RHGR). When W and X are into the page and Y and Z are out of the page, their
respective B-fields are shown in the diagram on the right. The resultant of these B- Bz Bx
fields will be towards the left, since all the vertical components of the B-fields cancel
out. Answer: A

Bw By
2. Using the RHGR, the B-field sue to the solenoid is towards the right. However, the magnitude of the B-field due to
the solenoid is equal to that of the Earth and hence we must sum these two up vectorally and hence the compass
which gives the resultant B will be A.

o
3. When the angle is 0 , the current and B is parallel and the force is zero. As the angle increases, the force F= BIL
sin . Hence, Answer: C

4. In order for the tension sin the strings to be zero, the magnetic force must be acting upwards to balance the
weight acting downwards. By FLHR, the current must be flowing from left to right in order to produce an upward
magnetic force.
FB mg
BIL mg
mg ( AL )g Ag
I
BL BL B

5. Using the RHGR, the direction of the B due to wire X at P is drawn. Then apply FLHR. The direction of F, B and I
are all perpendicular to each other. In this case, the magnetic force will be into the page.

Wire X with current out of page

d
P

BX R
Wire Y with current to the right of page

6. Like currents attract, hence both X and Y will exert an upward force on Z. The magnitude of the force is
proportional to the magnitude of the current and inversely proportional to the distance of separation. Hence force
-6 -1 -6 -1 -6
per unit length due to Y and X is 4 x 10 N m and 1 x 10 N m respectively. The net force acting on Z is 5 x 10
-1
Nm .

7. Like currents attract and unlike currents repel. Hence PS experiences an attractive force while QR experiences a
repulsive force. However, since QR is further, the magnitude of the repulsive force on QR will be less than the
attractive force on PS. Hence the net force is towards XY and the square frame wire moves towards the long wire.
Answer: A

8. Since the currents are antiphase, the directions are always opposite and hence they will always experience
repulsive force. The graph shows the attractive force between them and hence the force must always be negative.
We can eliminate all except A and D. The magnitude of the AC varies sinusoidally and so A cannot be the answer.
The exact expression for the force is actually F BIL 0I IL 0L I 2 0L I02 sin2 t . Answer: D
2 d 2 d 2 d
9. (i) The ions accelerate due to the electric field.
Gain in KE = Loss in EPE

1
 1
Mv 2 0 QV
2
2Q(V 0) 2QV
v
M M
(ii) The magnetic force provides the centripetal force. (NOTE: latest examiners report stated that explanation must
be provided before the equations to obtain full marks. Make sure you write this first!)
Mv 2
BQv
R
2QV
M
M

Mv 2MV
R
BQ BQ B 2Q
(iii) When Q/M doubles, the radius will be smaller by a factor of 2 .

10. Due to the E-field, the electric force on the positively charged particles is downwards. In order for the particles to
pass through undeflected, the net force must be zero and hence we can deduce that the magnetic force must be
upwards. Using FLHR, we can work out that the B field must be acting into the page.

11. (i) Horizontally, there is no net force and the electron travels with constant speed. Hence time t = distance/speed.
20 103
t 2.2 109 s
9.0 106
(ii)
F ma
eE ma
V
e ma
d

a
eV


1.6 10 19 80 80
1.41 1015 mm s
-2

dm 20 10
3

9.11 10 31


(iii) sy ut 1 at 2 1 1.4 1015 2.2 109
2
0.00341 m
2 2
(iv)

v y uy at 1.41 1015 2.2 109 3.10 106

9.0 10 3.10 10
2 2
v v x2 v y2 6 6
9.52 106 m s1
(v) The magnetic force provides the centripetal force.
Mv 2
BQv
R

R
Mv


9.11 10 31 9.52 106
0.0752 m
BQ
0.72 10 3 1.6 10 19
(vi)

B-field into page

parabolic path
circular path

2
12. (ai) The current interacts with the magnetic field due to the magnet and experiences a magnetic force. By FLHR,
the force must be perpendicular to the direction of current and B and hence acts in the vertical plane. As the
current changes direction, the direction of the force also alternates.
(aii) When the frequency of the AC matches one of the resonant frequencies of the stretched wire, resonance
occurs and the vibration will be very strong. In this case, the frequency of the AC must have been 290 Hz.
fwire fAC
(aiii)
v
f v fAC 290 2 0.71 410 m s1
AC
(bi) T 60 3.57 104 kg m1
c 2 4102

(bii) M V A d 4
2 4 3.57 104 7.88 103 kg m3
d 2 0.24 103
2
L L 4

13. (i) When a current flows in the solenoid, the solenoid becomes an electromagnet. Depending on the polarity of the
end of the solenoid facing the hanging magnet, it will either attract or repel the hanging magnet and hence the
magnet moves vertically.
(ii) When an AC is passed through the solenoid, the pole of the electromagnet facing the hanging magnet
alternates. The hanging magnet experiences an alternating attractive and repulsive force, and this alternating
force causes the magnet to oscillate.
(iii) The frequency of the alternating force is determined by the frequency of the AC. When the frequency of the
AC (driver system) matches the (natural) frequency of the hanging magnet (oscillating/driven system), resonance
occurs and the hanging magnet oscillates with maximum amplitude.
14. (ai) Using FLHR, in order for the ions to deflect leftwards in the B-field, B-field out of the page.
(aii) To pass through undeflected in the velocity selector, the electric force must be towards the right, hence the
left plate must be positive and the right plate negative.
(b) To pass through undeflected:
E 3.06 103
F 0 Bqv qE v B 0.087 3.52 104 m s1
(c) The magnetic force is always perpendicular to the direction of the velocity (FLHR). Hence the force only
changes the direction of motion without changing its speed and the ions move in a circular path. The magnetic
force provides the centripetal force.
2
(d) Bqv mv r mv . Since v, B and q are the same for both ions, the radius is proportional to the mass of the
r Bq
ion. Path I is due to Ne-20.
(e) GH D D 2v m m 2 3.52 10 22 20 u 0.0169
4

22 20 0.0168
mm
0.087 1.6 10
19
22 20
Bq

15. (ai) R V 4.5 1.8

I 2.5

(aii) R = L 2 rN N RA 1.8 0.30 10

2
3

361.4 361 turns

A A 2 r 8.8 102 1.6 108

(aiii) Number of turns per metre = 361 3008 approximately 3000 turns.
0.12
(bii) B 0nI 4 107 3000 2.5 9.4 103 T
(ci) v x v cos 4.0 107 cos30o 3.5 107 m s
-1

(cii) v x v sin 4.0 107 sin30o 2.0 107 m s

-1

(d) The magnetic force provides for the centripetal force.

mv 2 mv
Bqv r
r Bq

(e) r 0.0121
9.11 1031 2.0 107 solenoid
m electrons
9.4 10 3
1.6 10
19

Since the diameter of the path of the electron is larger than the radius of the tube, the
electron will collide with the wall and not exit the tube.

3
Level 2

1. This works in the same way as the current balance, just a slightly different oreintation/configuration. The moment
due to the magnetic force acting on the square wire frame (couple) is countered by the moment due to the rider.
Applying principle of moments about the pivot:
FB
NBIL2
FBL mgx NBIL2 mgx x
mg x
L
Answer: C
mg
In fact, the question could have been extended to ask for the direction in direction of current
which the current is flowing in the square frame. Based on the diagram FB
drawn on the right, the current would have been flowing upwards on the
side facing us.

2. The deflecting coils produce a magnetic field that is directed upwards (using RHGR). By FLHR, the electrons
(direction of conventional current is opposite to the direction of flow of electrons) will experience a magnetic force
towards the right. Answer: A

3. The magnetic force provides the centripetal force.

Bqv mv
Bq 2 Bq

m T m
m T m q 4 mp e
T p 2
q Tp mp q mp 2e
2
Note centripetal acceleration, ac v r 2 v . The last expression is not commonly used. The choice depends
r
on the quantities that are given in the question and in this case the last expression is the most direct, relating the
given quntities.
Answer: A
-3 -3
4. (ai) Additional force = (85.4 85.0) x 10 x 9.81 = 3.9 x 10 N
(aii)The current flowing through the rod generates a magetic field that interactes with the magnetic field of the
magnet and results in a downward force acting on the magnet (thats why the reading on balance increases) and
an upward force acting on the rod (N3L pair).
(bi) From (aii), the rod expreinces a upward force which in the plan view now is directed out of the page. Using
FLHR, the magnetic field that the rod must be in is upwards. Hence the lower pole is N and the upper pole is S.
(NOTE: many students will think that the force is directed into the page since the question says so. However, it is
a trick as you must consider the rod and not the magnet as the body of choice to apply the FBD and FLHR)
3
(bii) I F 3.92 10 2.6 A. Note that although the length of the rod is 20 cm, only 5 cm is in the B-field
BL 30 103 0.05
and experiencing the magnetic force.
(biii) New reading = 85.0 0.4 = 84.6 g

5. (ai) B F 180
1.8 102 T
IL 12 103 0.83
(aii) The force acting on Bars X and Y are always the same (N3L pair). Hence, both bars experience a force that is
half of the original force, ie, 90 N.
(bi) Since the same AC is passed through both bars, the directions of the currents in both bars are always the
same. Both bars are always attracted to each other. Hoever, the magnitude of the attractive force will depend on
the size of the AC. Hence there is maximum attractive force when the current is max and zero attractive force
when current is zero. The bars vibrate due to the varying magnitudes of the attractive force. Note that the
frequency of vibration is actually twice the frequency of the AC. (Many students immediately jump to the
conclusion that the force must be alternating between attractive and repulsive once they see an AC. This is very
dangerous! Make sure you spend time analysing the context in the question.)
(bii) More clamps to be placed along the length of the bars.

4
6. (ai) and (aii) (bi)

tension, T

carbon brushes
weight, mg

(aiii) When the split ring is in contact with the brushes, the current always flows in the same direction through the
armature. When the armature is vertical and the rins are not in contact with the brushes, the momentum of the
rotation will ensure that it continues moving. Once byond the vertical orientation, the rings are again in contact
with the brushes and the current continues to flow out of the same left brush through the armature and into the
right brush. The direction of the force on the armature is always the same keeping it rotating.
1 2s
s ut at 2 a 2
(bii) 2 t
2s 2 0.84
T mg ma T m(g 2 ) 0.015 9.81 0.152 N
t 2.22
(ci) Measure the time taken for the mass to move through succesive distance of equal intervals. If the time is
approximately the same, then the speed is constant.
(cii) P GPE mgh 0.015 9.81 0.84 0.036 W
t t 3.4
Poutput 0.036 0.036
(ciii) efficiency 0.135
Pinput IV 6.0 45 103
(d) Plot the graph of lg E against lg I to obtain n as the gradient and lg k as the y-intercept of the straight line graph.
(ei) As the coil rotates in the magnetic field, the flux lunkage through the coils varies sinusoidally, Hence by
Faradays law, a emf that is proportional to the rate of change of flux linkage will be induced in the coil.
(eii) The faster the coil rotates, the higher is the rate of change of the flux linkage and by Faradays law, a higher
e.m.f will be induced.
(eiii) The emf is dependent on the angle that the coil makes with the B-field. Although the coil rotates at constant
angular velocity, the angle that the coil makes with the B-field varies sinusoidally, henc the flux linkage and the
emf vary sinusoidally as well.
(fi) When the coil is parallel to the B-field, the flux linkage through the coil is zero, but the rate of change of flux
linkage will be maximum. Hence P can be marked at any positive or nagtive peak.
(fii) Since the emf is sinusoidal, the rms value is just E0 2 1.4 V.
2 2
-3
7. i) Irms = (48 x 10 ) / 2 = 0.034 A
2 2
ii) mean power dissipated in the coiled copper wire, Pm = Irms R = (48 / 2 ) (8) = 9.2 mW
iii) length of the copper wire in the magnetic field = N(2r) = (250)(2)(0.015) = 24 m (shown)
iv) A current carrying wire placed perpendicular to a magnetic field would experience a force. [1] The circular
magnet produces a radial magnetic field. An alternating current (signal) through the coiled copper wire results
in the coil experiencing an alternating force. [1] As the coiled copper wire is attached to the paper tube, the
loudspeaker cone would thus vibrate.[1] This causes the air particles around the cone to vibrate, creating
regions of compressions and rarefactions. Energy is thus transferred through the air and this would be heard
as sound. [1]
v) Possible frequency of sound = 2000 / 2 = 1000 Hz
vi) Maximum magnitude of the force acting on the copper wire due to the magnetic field,
Fmax = BImax l
-2 -3
= (3.6 x 10 )(48 x 10 )(24)
= 0.041 N
vii) To create higher frequency waves, the loud speaker cone must vibrate more quickly. This is harder to do with
a large cone because of the mass of the cone.
viii) When a sound wave is produced by the speaker located at one end of the tube, it will propagate along the
tube's volume until it hits the piston, where it is reflected back towards the speaker-end of the tube. [1] The
piston can effectively alter the length of the tube, causing the incident and reflected waves within the tube to
interfere in such a way as to maximize the amplitude of the sound waves. [1] When this occurs, the
standing waves created within the tube are said to be in resonance and generate the loud sound. [1]
ix) When resonance first occur, L = / 4
Since v = f , L = v / (4 f) = (340) / (4000) = 0.085 m