Skip to main content

Back to the full dot-point answer

VICPhysicsQuick questions

Unit 3: How do fields explain motion and electricity?

Quick questions on Magnetic fields and the Lorentz force on charges: VCE Physics Unit 3

9short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is the magnetic field model?
Show answer
A magnetic field BB is a vector at each point in space, measured in tesla (T). Field lines run from the north pole of a magnet to its south pole externally (and from south to north inside the magnet, forming closed loops). They never start or end on a charge; magnetic monopoles do not exist.
What is force on a moving charge?
Show answer
A charged particle moving with velocity vv through a magnetic field BB experiences a force:
What is circular motion of a charged particle in a uniform BB?
Show answer
When a charged particle moves perpendicular to a uniform BB, the constant magnitude of F=qvBF = qvB supplies the centripetal force:
What is bar magnet?
Show answer
Field lines emerge from the north pole, curve around, and enter the south pole. The field is strongest near the poles.
What is straight current-carrying wire?
Show answer
The field forms concentric circles around the wire. The direction is given by the right-hand grip rule: thumb in the direction of conventional current, fingers curl in the direction of BB.
What is solenoid?
Show answer
A long coil of wire carrying current. Inside the solenoid the field is uniform and parallel to the axis (like a bar magnet's interior). Outside, the field resembles that of a bar magnet, with one end acting as north and the other as south.
What is q1?
Show answer
State the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force on a charged particle moving perpendicular to a magnetic field. [2 marks]
What is q2?
Show answer
A proton travels at 2.0×1062.0 \times 10^6 m s1^{-1} perpendicular to a 0.400.40 T field. Calculate (a) the force on the proton, and (b) the radius of its circular path. [4 marks]
What is q3?
Show answer
Refer to the Synchrotron dipole magnets. (a) Calculate the magnetic force on an electron of momentum 1.6×10181.6 \times 10^{-18} kg m s1^{-1} in a 1.31.3 T field. (b) Determine the orbit radius.

All PhysicsQ&A pages