Magnetic Force on a Pith Ball Shot into a Magnetic Field
What is the magnitude of the maximum magnetic force on the pith ball?
A pith ball, charged to 10nC, is shot into one of the Pasco lab magnets with speed 20 m/s such that the velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field. The field has a strength of 0.25T. Compute the magnitude of the maximum magnetic force on the pith ball.
Select One of the Following: (a) 5 × 10⁻⁶N (b) 4 × 10⁻⁴−4N (c) 3 × 10⁻¹⁰N (d) 3 × 10−⁸N (e) 5 × 10−⁸N
Answer:
The maximum magnetic force on the pith ball, when it is shot into a magnetic field, is calculated with the formula for magnetic force - F = qvBsinθ, and it equals to 5 × 10⁻⁶N.
When a charged pith ball is shot into a magnetic field, the magnetic force acting on it can be determined using the formula F = qvBsinθ. In this case, the charge q is 10nC (10 × 10^-9 C), the speed v is 20 m/s, the magnetic field strength B is 0.25 T, and the angle θ between the velocity and the magnetic field is 90 degrees.
Substitute these values into the formula: F = (10nC) (20 m/s) (0.25T)sin(90°) = 5 × 10⁻⁶N. Therefore, the magnitude of the maximum magnetic force on the pith ball is 5 × 10⁻⁶N, which corresponds to option (a) in the given choices.
The magnetic force plays a crucial role in the interaction between charged particles and magnetic fields. Understanding the calculation of magnetic force can help predict the behavior of charged objects in various magnetic field configurations.