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A level Edexcel physics aluminium foil passing through a uniform field

Hello, I’m self teaching A level physics and I have gotten stuck on question 8 of this pmt worksheet and I’m not quite sure why the answer would be C. I thought it may be to do with the electrons within the aluminium sheet experiencing lorentz force at one end as it enters and exits causing it to slow down but I’m not quite sure and couldn’t find clarification anywhere else and was wondering if maybe someone could help provide some clarification.

https://pmt.physicsandmathstutor.com/download/Physics/A-level/Topic-Qs/Edexcel/07-Electric-and-Magnetic-Fields/Set-N/Magnetic%20Fields%20and%20Alternating%20Current%20%28MCQ%20Only%29.pdf

Reply 1

Original post
by Willlllllll1
Hello, I’m self teaching A level physics and I have gotten stuck on question 8 of this pmt worksheet and I’m not quite sure why the answer would be C. I thought it may be to do with the electrons within the aluminium sheet experiencing lorentz force at one end as it enters and exits causing it to slow down but I’m not quite sure and couldn’t find clarification anywhere else and was wondering if maybe someone could help provide some clarification.

https://pmt.physicsandmathstutor.com/download/Physics/A-level/Topic-Qs/Edexcel/07-Electric-and-Magnetic-Fields/Set-N/Magnetic%20Fields%20and%20Alternating%20Current%20%28MCQ%20Only%29.pdf



It has to do with Faraday's law of induction and Lenz's law.
These 2 laws should be found in your text or notes if not, then you have not learnt them.

Reply 2

Original post
by Eimmanuel
It has to do with Faraday's law of induction and Lenz's law.
These 2 laws should be found in your text or notes if not, then you have not learnt them.

Ok yeah I haven’t learnt that yet I think I jumped ahead a bit with the questions so I will wait until I have learnt these laws. Thank you for your help!

Reply 3

What this question is doing is distinguishing between a moving charge on a magnetic field which produces a force perpendicular to both the motion and the magnetic field. In this case, that force will be perpendicular to the page and so will result in no force (acceleration) along the air-track. However, in a changing magnetic field will create a force on a charge, the direction of which always opposes the thing that causes the force. I.e, always a deceleration. The unstated assumption here is that the magnitude of the magnetic field is insufficient to stop the air track working by pushing the slider such that it touches the surface.

Reply 4

Original post
by nerak99
What this question is doing is distinguishing between a moving charge on a magnetic field which produces a force perpendicular to both the motion and the magnetic field. In this case, that force will be perpendicular to the page and so will result in no force (acceleration) along the air-track. However, in a changing magnetic field will create a force on a charge, the direction of which always opposes the thing that causes the force. I.e, always a deceleration. The unstated assumption here is that the magnitude of the magnetic field is insufficient to stop the air track working by pushing the slider such that it touches the surface.
Hi, thank you for your response. However, I’m still a bit confused because isn’t e.m.f produced whenever there is relative motion between a magnetic field and a conducting material (in this case the aluminium sheet)? If so then doesn’t lenz’s law state that the induced e.m.f will always be in a direction as to oppose the change that caused it and so shouldn’t the force always be resisting motion, meaning as long as the aluminium sheet is moving in the field it should be decelerating?

Reply 5

The force on a charge (inside the conductor) is at right angles to the field and the motion so in this case would be a vertical force. The force in a changing field would be parallel to the motion.

Reply 6

Original post
by nerak99
The force on a charge (inside the conductor) is at right angles to the field and the motion so in this case would be a vertical force. The force in a changing field would be parallel to the motion.

Oh ok I get it now, thanks so much!

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