Physics II - Spring 2021

Chapter 28: Magnetic Fields

The following subjects will be discussed

• Introduction.
• Magnetic Force.
• Effect of Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges.
• Effect of Magnetic Forces on Current-carrying
Conductors.
 Introduction: Magnetism

Historically, the magnetic forces were known to Man much before the electric forces,
mainly because of the existence of magnetized rocks. (The first compass)
Magnetic materials (forces) affect (1) other magnetic materials, (2) magnetized
materials and (3) moving charges. They do not affect static charges.
Magnets always exist in dipoles (no single monopole).
Similar poles repel each other; opposite pole attract each other.
Permanent natural magnetic exist on earth
due to special material properties (iron ore).
Permanent Man-made magnetic are produced by
subjecting certain magnetic material to strong magnetic
forces. When removed, these materials stay magnetized for
a long time. (they do not return to initial state).
Temporary Man-made magnetic are produced by running
current around them. When removed, they return to initial state.
 Magnetic Forces

Consider an isolated moving charge 𝑞.

The electric force is 𝐹⃑! = 𝑞 𝐸
𝑁.𝑠
𝑇𝑒𝑠𝑙𝑎 𝑇 𝑜𝑟 𝑊𝑏/𝑚! =
The magnetic force is 𝐹⃑" = 𝑞 (𝑣⃑ × 𝐵) 𝐶.𝑚

Magnetic
Charge Charge
Magnetic flux
+ or – velocity
force density
(C) (m/s) 𝑣⃑
(N) (T)
𝐹⃑" 𝜃
𝑞
⨂ 𝐵
𝐹⃑! = 𝑞 𝑣⃑ 𝐵 sin 𝜃

𝜃=0 (𝑣⃑ and 𝐵 in the same direction) → 𝐹⃑! =0 Use right-hand rule
 Magnetic Forces

Example. An energetic proton with kinetic energy of 5.3x106 eV enters a region of

constant magnetic field of 1.2 mT. Find its acceleration and expected trajectory.
The velocity of the proton is

2 𝐾𝐸 2(5.3×10#)(1.6×10$%&) 𝑣 = 3.2×10' 𝑚/𝑠

𝑣= =
𝑚 1.67×10$!'

𝐹⃑" = 𝑞 (𝑣⃑ × 𝐵) 𝐵
𝑣⃑

𝐹⃑" = 𝑞 𝑣⃑ 𝐵 sin 𝜃

𝐹⃑" = 1.6×10$%& (3.2×10')(1.2×10$() sin 90°

𝐹⃑" = 6.1×10$%) 𝑁

𝐹⃑" 𝑚
𝑎⃑ = = 3.7×10%! !
𝑚 𝑠
 Magnetic Forces

Example. An electron with velocity 𝑣⃑ = 8×10" 𝚤⃑ 𝑚/𝑠 moves in a two-dimensional

magnetic field of magnitude 0.025 𝑇 as shown in the figure. Find the magnitude and
direction of the magnetic force acting on it.

𝐵 = 0.025 (cos 60° 𝚤⃑ + sin 60° 𝚥⃑ )

𝐵 = 0.013 𝚤⃑ + 0.022 𝚥⃑ (T)

60° 𝐵
𝐹⃑" = 𝑞 (𝑣⃑ × 𝐵)

𝐹⃑!
𝐹⃑" = −1.6×10$%&(8×10# 𝚤⃑ )×(0.013 𝚤⃑ + 0.022 𝚥⃑ )

𝐹⃑" = 2.8×10$%* − 𝑘 𝑁
 Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge

In the figure, 𝐵 is into the page and 𝑣⃑ of the charge 𝑞 is in a plane perpendicular to 𝐵.

𝐹⃑! = 𝑞 𝑣 𝐵
𝑣⃑ 𝑣⃑
𝑚𝑣 $
𝐹⃑# = 𝐹⃑" 𝑣⃑
𝑟
𝐹⃑"
𝑚𝑣
𝑟= (radius proportional to mass) 𝑟 𝐹⃑"
𝑞𝐵 𝜔
𝑣 𝑞𝐵 𝐵
𝜔= = (cyclotron frequency)
𝑟 𝑚

2𝜋𝑟 2𝜋
𝑇= =𝑚 (period of oscillation)
𝑣 𝑞𝐵
𝑣⃑ 𝑣⃑
𝑣⃑ ⊥ 𝐵
Helical
motion
𝜔 𝐵 𝐵
 Applications

1) Velocity Selector

𝑣% , 𝑣$ , 𝑣& , … , 𝑣' 𝑣#
𝐹⃑()( = 𝐹⃑* + 𝐹⃑! Velocity exit
any mass inlet
Selector

𝐹⃑()( = 𝑞𝐸 + 𝑞 (𝑣⃑ × 𝐵)

To go in a horizontal path, the two

forces need to be balanced.

𝐹⃑()( = 𝑞𝐸 + 𝑞 𝑣⃑ × 𝐵 = 0

Solve for velocity

𝐸 Only particles with this

𝑣⃑ =
𝐵 velocity will pass
𝐹⃑" 𝐹⃑!
 Applications

2) Mass Spectrometer
𝑚&

𝑚%

𝑚$
B
𝑚% , 𝑚$ , 𝑚& , … , 𝑚'
Same velocity
Same charge

𝐸
𝑣⃑ = 𝐵
𝐵
 Magnetic Force on a Current-carrying
Conductor
For an isolated moving charge 𝑞. 𝐹⃑! = 𝑞 (𝑣⃑ × 𝐵)

For current-carrying conductor, we have

continuous moving charges (current). 𝐵
𝑑𝑞 𝑑𝑙
𝐼 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑞 = 𝑑𝑞 𝑣 𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐼
𝑑𝐹⃑! = 𝑑𝑞 (𝑣⃑ × 𝐵) = 𝐼 (𝑑𝑙 × 𝐵)

𝐹⃑! = E 𝐼 (𝑑𝑙 × 𝐵)

Integration over Differential

conductor inside length along
field direction of
current
 Magnetic Force on a Current-carrying
Conductor
In case 𝐵 is uniform and 𝐼 is constant

𝐹⃑! = E 𝐼 (𝑑𝑙 × 𝐵)
𝐵
𝑏
,
𝐹⃑! = 𝐼 E 𝑑𝑙 × 𝐵
+ 𝐼 𝑙⃑'(

Vector Sum 𝐼
of length
𝑎

𝐹⃑! = 𝐼 (𝑙⃑+, × 𝐵)

For a closed loop, 𝐹⃑! = 0

 Magnetic Force on a Current-carrying
Conductor
Example. A current-carrying loop (half a circle, radius 𝑅) is placed in a region of
magnetic field as shown. The current 𝐼 and the magnetic field 𝐵 are constants.
Calculate force.

For the straight part, 𝐵

,
𝐹⃑! = 𝐼 E 𝑑𝑙 × 𝐵
+
𝐼
𝐼
𝐹! = 𝐼 2𝑅 𝐵 Inside the page
𝑅
For the curved part,

𝐹! = 𝐼 2𝑅 𝐵 Outside the page

𝐹⃑!(()() = 0
 Magnetic Force on a Current-carrying
Conductor
Application. Consider a rectangular loop carrying constant current and placed in a
region of magnetic field as shown.
Top
𝐹⃑ view
𝐵
Pivot 𝐵
𝐹⃑
𝐹⃑ = 0
𝐹 =𝐼𝐿𝐵
𝐼 𝐼
𝐿 𝜏 = 2 𝐼 𝐿 𝐵 (𝑑/2)
𝐹⃑
⨀ ⨂ 𝐹⃑
𝜏 = 𝐼𝐵𝐴
𝐹⃑ = 0
Pivot
𝜃
𝑑
𝐵
The concept of electric motors!
𝜏 = 𝐼𝐵𝐴 sin 𝜃
 Magnetic Force on a Current-carrying
Conductor
Example. Consider a rectangular coil with 25 turns, carrying constant current of 15
mA with an area of (5.4x8.5) cm2. The coil is placed in a region of constant magnetic
field of 0.35 T. The coil area is perpendicular to the field direction.
Calculate the torque on the coil.

𝜏 = 𝐼𝑁𝐵𝐴 sin 𝜃

𝜏 = (15×10/& )(25)(0.35)(5.4×8.5)×10/0 (sin 90°)

𝜏 = 6.02×10/0 N.m
Magnetic Force on a Current-carrying Conductor

Example. Spacecraft direction adjustment.

Need to produce torque on the

spacecraft to steer direction.
𝜏 = 6.02×10/0 N.m

Using Planet magnetic field.

𝐵 = 3×10/1 T

How much current is needed?

This large current cannot be
Take area of craft 7x5 m2 obtained from solar panels.
𝜏 Solution?
𝐼= 𝐼 = 7.14 𝐴
𝐵𝐴 𝑁 = 100, 𝐼 = 71 𝑚𝐴
Can we use solar energy
for this current?
 Q&A

Send me an email if
you have any
questions.