Electricity, Conducting Plates and Magnetic Fields

In summary: You are correct in stating that the electric field must be taken into account before the magnetic field can be added, however, in your calculation you neglect to include the electric field in the equation for the velocity. Therefore, the velocity is not calculated correctly.
  • #1
Zeus
7
0
Howdie all,
I'm soo glad I found this forum, people are genuinely working together instead of ignoring their fellow physics brethren =)

A pair of square parallel conducting plates, having sides of length .05 meter, are .01 meter apart and are connected to a 200 volt power supply. An electron is moving horizontally with a speed of 3 x 10^7 m/s when it enters the region between the plates. Neglect gravitation and the distortion of the electric field around the edges of the plates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
+
---
200 V -----> -e 3 x 10^7 m/s
---
-
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Side length is .05 m

1. Determine the magnitude of the electric field in the region between the plates and indicate its direction on the figure above.

E=-V/d
E=200/.1
E=2000, down
-----------------------------------------------------------------
+ !
---!
200 V -----> -e 3 x 10^7 m/s!
---!
- vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv (down arrows)
-----------------------------------------------------------------


2. Determine the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the electron in the region between the plates.

E=F/q F=ma

Eq=F
2000 x 1.60 x 10^-19=ma
a=3.513 x 10^14 m/s^2, up


3. Determine the magnitude of the vertical displacement of the elctron for the time interval during which it moves through the region between the plates.

d=vt
.05=3 x 10^7 x t
t=1.67 x 10^-9
d=vt +(1/2)a x t^2
d=.0505 m


4.On the diagram below, sketch the path of the electron as it moves through and after it emerges from the region between the plates. The dash lines in the diagramhave been added for reference only.
-----------------------------------------------------------/////
.005/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////
(median line)----------------------------------------------

.005
------------------------------------------------------------
(The line is curving slowly, then faster upward)
5. A magnetic field could be placed in the region between the plates which would cause the electron to continue to travel horizontally in a straight line through the region between the plates. Determine both the magnitude and the direction of this magnetic field.

This is really the one I don't know how to do. I realize that the vertical force must be zero between the magnetic and the electrical force, but I don't know how to do it mathematically.

Thanks, again, for your help =)
 
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  • #2
1) List all of the forces acting on the electron (there are two). This part is physics.

2) Determine which ones you are allowed "to play with." (There is only one.) This part is engineering.

3) Find all possible arrangements of them that give you what you know you need: zero net force. Choose one (there is still only one). This part is algebra.

4) Realize how these forces are related to certain parameters in the problem (i.e. magnetic field, velocity, plate separation, electric field, ... not all of the ones I mention are relevant). This part is physics.

5) Determine which ones you are allowed "to play with." This part is engineering.

6) Find all possible arrangements of them that give you what you know you need: determined from step 3. Choose one. This part is algebra.
 
  • #3
Reply to Turin

Ok, I've given your post some thought:
F=Magnitude of Force of Magnetic field
E=Electric field
theta=@

F=qvBsin(@)

E=-v/d

0=F + E
0=1.60 x 10^-19 x 2000 x B x sin90 - 200/.1
0=(3.2 x 10^-16)B - 2000
B=6.25 x 10^18

Was this the idea?
Thanks Turin
 
  • #4


Originally posted by Zeus
Was this the idea?
Roughly. I would recommend using a capital V for voltage and a lower case v (or even something else, like u) for velocity. I think it might have gotten you into trouble and you may want to double check. Also, you cannot add apples and oranges, or, in this case, E-fields and forces. You need to calculate the electric force before you add it to the magnetic force. I will go ahead and work the calculation to see if I get the same answer and then let you know.

My answer does not resemble yours.
 
Last edited:

1. What is electricity?

Electricity is the flow of electric charge through a conductor. It is a form of energy that is essential for powering many devices and machines.

2. How do conducting plates work?

Conducting plates, also known as capacitors, work by storing electrical energy between two metal plates separated by an insulating material. When a voltage is applied, one plate becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. This creates an electric field between the plates.

3. What is the role of magnetic fields in electricity?

Magnetic fields play a crucial role in electricity as they are created when electric charges are in motion. This can happen in a variety of ways, such as in a wire conducting current or in a generator producing electricity.

4. How are magnetic fields measured?

Magnetic fields are measured in units of tesla (T) or gauss (G). A tesla is equal to 10,000 gauss, and both units are used to measure the strength of a magnetic field at a specific point.

5. What are some practical applications of electricity and magnetic fields?

Electricity and magnetic fields have numerous practical applications, including powering electronic devices, generating electricity, and powering motors. They are also used in technologies such as MRI machines, speakers, and electric motors.

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