Module 6: Electromagnetism Module Revision

Solutions

1. (a) Two parallel plates are set up to produce a uniform electric field of 700 N C−1 . The plates 1
are separated by 10 cm.

Calculate the potential difference which exists between the plates.

V = Ed
= 700 × 0.1
= 70 V

1 mark − Calculates the correct potential difference value

(b) Calculate the magnitude of acceleration for an electron placed into the electric field as 1
described in part (a).

ma = qE
−31
9.11×10 × a = 1.6×10−19 × 700
a = 1.2×10−14 m s−2

1 mark − Calculates the correct value for acceleration with units

2. (a) A proton is moved inside an electric field between equipotential lines, from A to B. Line A 2
has a potential of 30 V while line B has double that.

Calculate the work required and identify the source of the work.

W = qV
= 1.6×10−19 × (60 − 30)
= 4.8×10−18 J

1 mark − Calculates the correct force value with units

1 mark − Determines the correct force direction as downwards

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 (b) An electron is released from the negative plate and travels along the field towards the 3
positive plate. The negative plate has potential -1250 V while the positive plate has
potential 700 V.

Calculate the speed at which the electron strikes the positive plate.

1
W = mv 2 = qV
2
2qV
v2 =
m
2 × 1.6×10−19 × (700 − −1250)
=
9.11×10−31
= 6.85×1014
v = 2.6×107 m s−1

1 mark − Equates two relevant equations

1 mark − Correct substitutions

1 mark − Calculates the correct speed with units

3. A 35 mC charge naturally rests on a negative plate and is projected 17 000 m s−1 at 40◦ inside a
uniform electric field. The charge lands back on the plate after accomplishing a vertical height
of 15 mm.
(a) Is the charge positively or negatively charged? 1

Positively charged as it is naturally attracted to the negative plate.

1 mark − Identifies charge as positively charged

(b) If the charge has a mass value equal to that of an electron’s, calculate the electric field 4
strength due to the parallel charged plates.

vy2 = u2y + 2ay Sy

02 = (17000 sin 40)2 + 2ay (0.015)
ay = 3.98×109 m s−2
F = qE = may
may
E=
q
9.11×10−31 × 3.98×109
=
35×10−3
= 1.04×10−19 V m−1

1 mark − Calculates the correct acceleration value

1 mark − Equates two relevant equations

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 1 mark − Correct substitutions

1 mark − Calculates the correct electric field strength with units

4. A 1.2 µC charge of mass 4.5×10−19 kg enters a magnetic field of 0.52 T. It experiences a force
of magnitude 0.15 N when entering 45◦ to the magnetic field.
(a) Calculate the speed of the charge. 1

F
v=
qB sin θ
0.15
= −6
1.2×10 × 0.52 × sin 45
= 3.4×105 m s−1

1 mark − Calculates the correct speed with units

(b) If now the charge enters perpendicular to the magnetic field, calculate its radius of curvature. 2

FB = Fc
mv 2
qvB =
r
mv
r=
qB
4.5×10−19 × 3.4×105
=
1.2×10−6 × 0.15
= 2.5×10−7 m

1 mark − Equates two relevant equations

1 mark − Calculates the correct radius of curvature with units

(c) Sketch, in the space below, the motion of this charge if it enters directly East to a magnetic 2
field directed out of the page. (It does NOT have to be to scale)

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 2 marks − Sketches a circular path with clockwise direction (1 mark each)

5. An electron travelling at half the speed of light enters perpendicularly into a magnetic field of 2
9 T.

Calculate the centripetal acceleration experienced by the electron.

v2
a=
r
mv
but r =
qB
vqB
a=
m
0.53.0×108 × 1.6×10−19 × 9
=
9.11×10−31
= 2.4×1020 m s−2

∴ 2.4×1020 m s−2 towards centre of curvature

1 mark − Equates two relevant equations

1 mark − Calculates the correct radius of curvature with units

6. (a) What term is used to describe the force experienced by a current-carrying conductor in the 1
presence of an external magnetic field?

The motor effect.

(b) The following diagram shows a finite horizontal wire being rotated anti-clockwise in a 1
never-ending magnetic field to a new orientation.

Which orientation produces the larger force?

Neither. Both orientations produce the same, maximum force.

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 (c) If the wire is 0.9 m long and carries 11 A inside a field of 4.5 mT, calculate the force in 2
each orientation illustrated above. (Don’t forget direction!)

F = BIl sin θ
= 4.5×10−3 × 11 × 0.9 × sin 90
= 4.5×10−2 N

∴ 4.5×10−2 N up in old position and 4.5×10−2 N left in new position

1 mark − Equates two relevant equations

1 mark − Calculates the correct radius of curvature with units

7. The following diagram shows two anti-parallel wires of different lengths carrying different 3
currents and are separated by 5 cm.

What is the force experienced by the two wires?

kI1 I2 l
F =
d
2×10−7 (9)(100)(0.7)
=
0.05
= 2.52×10−3 N repulsive

1 mark − Identifies the correct data to use

1 mark − Calculates the correct force experienced with units

1 mark − Identifies force as repulsive

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8. (a) A circular loop of wire of diameter 10 cm is angled at 35◦ to an external magnetic field of 2
100×10−6 T.

Calculate the magnetic flux experienced by this loop.

Φ = BA cos θ
= 100×10−6 × π(0.05)2 × cos(55)
= 4.5×10−7 Wb

1 mark − Identifies correct value for θ

1 mark − Calculates the correct magnetic flux with units

(b) The loop is then rotated such that its plane becomes perpendicular to the magnetic field 2
in 4 seconds.

Calculate the average emf induced in the loop.

Magnetic flux is maximum when plane is perpendicular to magnetic field.

Φ2 = BA
= 100×10−6 × π(0.05)2
= 7.9×10−7 Wb
Φ1 = 4.5×10−7 Wb
∆Φ = Φ2 − Φ1
= 7.9×10−7 − 4.5×10−7
= 3.4×10−7 Wb
∆Φ
ε = −n ·
∆t
3.4×10−7
= −1 ·
4
= 8.4×10−8 V

1 mark − Calculates the correct change in magnetic flux

1 mark − Calculates the correct averaged induced emf with units

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 9. A bar magnet is pushed through a coil by a student via his hands.

(a) Indicate on the diagram the direction of the induced current in the coil. 1

(b) Identify the energy transformation taking place during this movement. 1

Kinetic energy is being converted into electrical energy.

1 mark − Identifies the correct energy transformation

(c) What would the student report in regards to the force acting on the magnet? Explain using 3
relevant physics principles.

The student would report the magnet being pushed back towards him. This is to be
expected as the change in flux experienced by the coil via relative motion to the magnet
induces an emf (Faraday’s law) that flows such that its magnetic field opposes the initial
change in magnetic flux (Lenz’s law). The interaction of magnetic fields between the
magnet and coil creates an opposing force which accounts for the student’s report.

1 mark − Identifies that the student reports an opposing force

2 marks − Explains such report using Faraday’s and Lenz’s law (1 mark each)

10. (a) If a transformer has a smaller output current than its input current, is it a step-up or 1
step-down transformer?

Step-up.

1 mark − Correct answer

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 (b) An engineering student, who is quite nerdy, exclaims the following to his whole class. 3

“An iron core is necessary to a transformer’s operation, but it does come with flaws.”

Assess the student’s statement.

An iron core is indeed essential to a transformer’s operation as it increases flux linkage

by guiding the magnetic field lines through the windings, thereby minimising any flux
leakage. This ensures an efficient power transformation and a transformer would never
work without a core. However, iron is a great conductor of electricity. Such property,
coupled with the core experiencing a change in magnetic flux due to the nature of AC
electricity, induces great eddy currents which generates unwanted resistive heat. As a
result, operation efficiency is compromised due to energy losses through heat, which is
the great flaw to an iron core. Therefore, the student’s statement is valid due to the
reasons above.

1 mark − Describes why an iron core is necessary to a transformer’s operation

1 marks− Describes the flaw of the iron core

1 marks− Provides an assessment of the statement

11. An iPhone XS Max is being charged with an output of 100 V DC, which is provided by the
RapidChargeTM power adaptor. In Australia, the input from the power outlet is the 240 V AC
supply.
(a) What type of device is the power adaptor? 1

Step-down.

1 mark − Correct answer

(b) Calculate the ratio of the number of loops on the primary coil of the adaptor, for this great 1
product, to the number of loops on its secondary coil.

np Vp
=
ns Vs
240
=
100
12
=
5
∴ 12 : 5

1 mark − Calculates the correct ratio for np : ns

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 (c) The adaptor’s input current is 50 A. The phone explodes if the charging current exceeds 2
100 A.

Does the phone explode?

Is np
=
Ip ns
Is 12
=
50 5
Is = 120 A > 100 A
∴ The iPhone explodes (hoorah!)

1 mark − Appropriate calculations

1 mark − Justifies that the phone explodes with calculations

12. (a) Explain the cause of the torque created in a DC motor. 2

A coil situated in an external magnetic field will experience a force given a current
runs through it due to the motor effect. The coil, connected to an axle, is positioned
such that opposite sides have opposite currents flowing through the magnetic field, thus
creating opposite forces to produce unidirectional torque.

1 mark − Identifies the role of the motor effect in torque production

1 mark − Explains how opposite forces on opposite sides of a coil creates torque

(b) Explain how a DC motor is able to rotate continuously for 360◦ without tangling its wires 2
despite having a rotating armature.

The coil is not connected to the supply directly. Each end of the coil’s wire is connected
to opposite semi-rings of a split-ring commutator while the supply circuit’s ends are to
the carbon brushes, thereby giving two separate circuits. These circuits are electrically
continuous via contact between the commutator and carbon brushes, thus supplying the
current required for rotational torque. Therefore, entanglement is prevented despite a
360◦ rotation as the coil is separate from the circuit containing the supply.

1 mark − Explains that the coil is separated from the external circuit, which prevents
entanglement

1 mark − Explains that the circuits are still electrically continuous via the split-ring
commutator and brushes

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13. Consider the following DC motor. The rectangular coil of 25 turns is free to rotate in a magnetic
field of 0.65 T.

(a) Calculate the forces acting on sides AB and BC when a current of 7.0 A flows in the coil. 2

FAB = BIl sin θ

= 0.65 × 7.0 × 0.05 × sin 90
= 5.7 N
FBC = 0 N (sin 0 = 0)
∴ 5.7 N downwards on side AB and 0 N on side BC.

1 mark − Calculates the correct forces with units

1 mark − Determines the correct direction of force on side AB

(b) Calculate the torque experienced by the coil in this position. 2

τ = nBIA cos θ
= 25 × 0.65 × 7.0 × (0.03)(0.05) × cos 0
= 0.17 N m

1 mark − Correct substitutions

1 mark − Calculates the correct torque with units

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14. In this module, you have studied two types of electric generators. Explain the operation of 4
such generators and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

AC and DC generators both convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through
electromagnetic induction. The relative motion, caused by rotation around an axle, between
the coil and magnetic field is used to generate an electrical voltage that is sent externally.
Such rotation causes an alternating current to flow inside the coil. However, their outputs
differ through the application of different commutators. The slip-ring commutator outputs
the natural AC by providing continuous connection between the coil and external circuit
while the split-ring commutator rectifies AC to DC by reversing the current within the coil
every 180◦ . These devices allow the generators to output AC and DC electricity respectively,
despite their common, natural generation of AC.
AC generators have the significant advantage over their DC counterpart in being that their
output enables the efficient transmission of energy across long distances in transmission
wires. Transformers will only work if supplied AC, allowing a step-up in voltage to decrease
current, and subsequently minimise power loss through resistive heating (Ploss = I 2 R).
Furthermore, the cost to maintain an AC generator is substantially less compared to a DC
generator, reason being the slip-ring commutator is less mechanically complex than the
split-ring. However, DC generators are safer to operate because DC is less fatal than AC
in the case of an electric shock. Also, since most applications use DC electricity, using DC
generators would remove the need for a rectifier before usage.

1 mark − Identifies the two generators studied in this module

1 mark − Explains their operation with reference to their respective commutators

2 marks − Compares the two generators with at least TWO advantages and disadvantages
of each

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