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28. Magnetic Fields and Forces
Magnets and Magnetic Fields
Problem 27.17
Textbook Question
A 150-g ball containing 4.00x10^8 excess electrons is dropped into a 125-m vertical shaft. At the bottom of the shaft, the ball suddenly enters a uniform horizontal magnetic field that has magnitude 0.250 T and direction from east to west. If air resistance is negligibly small, find the magnitude and direction of the force that this magnetic field exerts on the ball just as it enters the field.

1
First, calculate the charge of the ball using the number of excess electrons. The charge of one electron is approximately \(-1.6 \times 10^{-19}\) C. Multiply this by the number of excess electrons \(4.00 \times 10^8\) to find the total charge \(q\) of the ball.
Next, determine the velocity of the ball as it enters the magnetic field. Use the kinematic equation for free fall: \(v^2 = u^2 + 2gh\), where \(u\) is the initial velocity (0 m/s, since the ball is dropped), \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \(9.81\) m/s²), and \(h\) is the height of the shaft (125 m). Solve for \(v\).
Now, apply the formula for the magnetic force \(F = qvB\sin\theta\), where \(q\) is the charge calculated in step 1, \(v\) is the velocity from step 2, \(B\) is the magnetic field strength (0.250 T), and \(\theta\) is the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field direction. Since the ball enters the field horizontally, \(\theta = 90^\circ\), making \(\sin\theta = 1\).
Calculate the magnitude of the force using the values obtained: \(F = qvB\). Substitute the values for \(q\), \(v\), and \(B\) into the equation to find \(F\).
Determine the direction of the force using the right-hand rule. Point your fingers in the direction of the velocity (downward), curl them towards the direction of the magnetic field (east to west), and your thumb will point in the direction of the force. The force will be perpendicular to both the velocity and the magnetic field.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge
The magnetic force on a moving charge is given by the Lorentz force equation, F = q(v × B), where q is the charge, v is the velocity, and B is the magnetic field. This force is perpendicular to both the velocity of the charge and the magnetic field direction, resulting in a force that can change the direction of the charge's motion without altering its speed.
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Charge of Electrons
Electrons carry a fundamental charge of approximately -1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs. To find the total charge of the ball, multiply the number of excess electrons by the charge of a single electron. This total charge is crucial for calculating the magnetic force exerted on the ball as it enters the magnetic field.
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Kinematics of Free Fall
The ball's velocity as it enters the magnetic field can be determined using kinematic equations for free fall. Assuming negligible air resistance, the final velocity v can be calculated using v = sqrt(2gh), where g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height of the fall. This velocity is essential for determining the magnetic force acting on the ball.
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