Magnetic Fields

Objectives: After completing this

module, you should be able to:

• Define the magnetic field

• Solve problems involving the

magnitude and direction of forces on
charges moving in a magnetic field.
• Solve problems involving the magnitude
and direction of forces on current
carrying conductors in a B-field.
 Magnetism
Since ancient times, certain materials, called
magnets, have been known to have the property of
attracting tiny pieces of metal. This attractive
property is called magnetism.

S
Bar Magnet
S N
N
 Magnetic Poles
The strength of a magnet is
Iron concentrated at the ends,
filings called north and south
N “poles” of the magnet.

S
W
A suspended magnet: N S N
N-seeking end and
S-seeking end are N S N E
and S poles. Bar magnet Compass
Magnetic Attraction-Repulsion

N S
S N S N
S N
N S

Magnetic Forces:
Like Poles Repel Unlike Poles Attract
 Electric field lines start from a positive charge and
end on a negative charge. Magnetic field lines always
form continuous closed loops. Outside a magnet, the
lines are directed from the north pole to the south
pole. Inside a magnet, they run from south pole to
the north pole.
 There is no magnetic force on static charges.
However, there is a magnetic force on moving
charges. When charges are stationary, their electric
fields do not affect magnets.
 But, when charges move, they produce magnetic
fields that exert forces on other magnets. When
there is relative motion, a connection between
electric and magnetic fields emerges—each affects
the other.
 Magnetic Field Lines
We can describe
magnetic field lines
by imagining a tiny
compass placed at N S
nearby points.

The direction of the

magnetic field B at
any point is the same Field B is strong where
as the direction lines are dense and weak
indicated by this where lines are sparse.
compass.
Field Lines Between Magnets
Unlike Attraction
poles
N S

Leave N
and enter S

Repulsion
N N
Like poles
Magnetic Force on Moving Charge
Imagine a tube that F
projects charge +q B
with velocity v into v
perpendicular B field.
N S
Experiment shows:
Upward magnetic force F
F  qvB on charge moving in B
field.
Each of the following results in a greater magnetic
force F: an increase in velocity v, an increase in
charge q, and a larger magnetic field B.
 Direction of Magnetic Force
The right hand rule: F F
B B
With a flat right hand,
point thumb in direction v v
of velocity v, fingers in
direction of B field. The
flat hand pushes in the N S
direction of force F.

The force is greatest when the velocity v is

perpendicular to the B field. The deflection
decreases to zero for parallel motion.
 Force and Angle of Path

Deflection force greatest

N S when path perpendicular
to field. Least at parallel.
F  v sin 
N S
F B
v sin  
v v
N S
 Definition of B-field
Experimental observations show the following:
F
F  qv sin  or  constant
qv sin 
By choosing appropriate units for the constant of
proportionality, we can now define the B-field as:

Magnetic Field F
B or F  qvB sin 
Intensity B: qv sin 

A magnetic field intensity of one tesla (T) exists in a

region of space where a charge of one coulomb (C)
moving at 1 m/s perpendicular to the B-field will
experience a force of one newton (N).
 Example 1. A 2.0-nC charge is projected with
velocity 5.0 x 104 m/s at an angle of 30.0 with a
3.0 mT magnetic field as shown. What are the
magnitude and direction of the resulting force?

Draw a rough sketch.

B F B
q = 2.0 x 10-9 C v =
5.0 x 104 m/s B = v sin  
3.0 x 10-3 T  = 300 v v

Using right-hand rule, the force is seen to be upward.

F  qvB sin   (2 x 10-9C)(5 x 10 4m/s)(3 x 10 -3T)sin 30 0

Resultant Magnetic Force: F = 1.5 x 10-7 N, upward

Example
 Forces on Negative Charges
Forces on negative charges are opposite to those on
positive charges. The force on the negative charge
requires a left-hand rule to show downward force F.

Right-hand Left-hand
B
F B
rule for rule for v
positive q v negative q F

N S N S
Indicating Direction of B-fields
One way of indicating the directions of fields perpen-
dicular to a plane is to use crosses X and dots :

A field directed into the paper X X X X

is denoted by a cross “X” like X X X
the tail feathers of an arrow. X X X X
X X X
X X
 A field directed out of the paper
 is denoted by a dot 
“ ” like the
 front tip end of an arrow.

 Practice With Directions:
What is the direction of the force F on the charge in
each of the examples described below?

F v
X X X X X X X X
v Up FX X X
X+ X X +
Left
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X
F
 
v Up F
  Right
-
 -

negative q v
 
 Summary
The direction of forces on a charge moving in an electric
field can be determined by the right-hand rule for positive
charges and by the left-hand rule for negative charges.

Right-hand Left-hand
B
F B
rule for rule for v
positive q v negative q F

N S N S
 Summary (Continued)

F B
v sin  
v v

For a charge moving in a

B-field, the magnitude of F = qvB sin 
the force is given by:
Quiz: 5 points each