IB Physics HL Theme D: Fields questions

Exam-style multiple choice and written questions with full markschemes. Check multiple choice answers straight away, or type, photograph or draw a written answer and get it marked.

Question 1

Multiple choiceHard1 mark

A straight horizontal conductor of length 0.50 m0.50\ \mathrm{m} carries a current of 2.0 A2.0\ \mathrm{A} northeast; its eastward:northward direction-component ratio is 3:43:4 A uniform horizontal magnetic field of magnitude 0.50 T0.50\ \mathrm{T} points northeast, with eastward:northward direction-component ratio 4:34:3 What are the magnitude and direction of the force on the conductor?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. The current and field directions are 53.1∘53.1^\circ and 36.9∘36.9^\circ north of east, so the angle between them is 16.2∘16.2^\circ with sin⁡θ=0.28\sin\theta=0.28 Thus F=BILsin⁡θ=(0.50)(2.0)(0.50)(0.28)=0.14 NF=BIL\sin\theta=(0.50)(2.0)(0.50)(0.28)=0.14\ \mathrm{N} Fleming’s left-hand rule gives a downward force.

A: gives the correct magnitude but reverses the force direction.
B: uses cos⁡θ\cos\theta giving 0.48 N0.48\ \mathrm{N} and reverses the force direction.
D: uses cos⁡θ\cos\theta giving 0.48 N0.48\ \mathrm{N} but gives the correct direction.
Remember: the force depends on the component of the current direction perpendicular to the magnetic field.

Question 2

Multiple choiceHard1 mark

A circular loop of radius rr is in a uniform magnetic field of magnitude BB The angle between the field and the loop’s normal is 60∘60^\circ The radius is changed to 2r2r the field magnitude to B/2B/2 and the angle to 30∘30^\circ What is the ratio of the final magnetic-flux magnitude to the initial magnetic-flux magnitude?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. The magnetic-flux magnitude is Φ=BAcos⁡θ\Phi=BA\cos\theta and the loop’s area is proportional to r2r^2 Thus

ΦfinalΦinitial=12×4×cos⁡30∘cos⁡60∘=23.\frac{\Phi_{\mathrm{final}}}{\Phi_{\mathrm{initial}}} =\frac{1}{2}\times 4\times\frac{\cos30^\circ}{\cos60^\circ} =2\sqrt{3}.

A: reverses the ratio of the cosine factors.
B: uses the radius ratio as the area ratio, rather than squaring it.
D: omits the factor of 1/21/2 from the reduced field magnitude.
Remember: the angle in the flux expression is measured from the loop’s normal.

The best questions are still waiting

Unlock every question in this topic, then type, photograph or draw your answer and have it marked against the markscheme. Find out where you are dropping marks.