Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 1 of 34

8 Magnetic fields

Study Design
Fields and interactions
 investigate and apply theoretically and practically a field model to magnetic phenomena,
including shapes and directions of fields produced by bar magnets, and by current-
carrying wires, loops and solenoids.
Effects of fields
 analyse the use of a magnetic field to change the path of a charged particle, including:
the magnitude and direction of the force applied to an electron beam by a magnetic field:
F = qvB, in cases where the directions of v and B are perpendicular or parallel.

the radius of the path followed by an electron in a magnetic field: qvB = where v
<< c.
Application of field concepts
 investigate and analyse theoretically and practically the force on a current carrying
conductor due to an external magnetic field, F = nILB, where the directions of I and B are
either perpendicular or parallel to each other.
 model the acceleration of particles in a particle accelerator (including synchrotrons) as
uniform circular motion (limited to linear acceleration by a uniform electric field and
direction change by a uniform magnetic field).

Magnetic Fields
What materials are magnetic?
Actually, all materials exhibit magnetic properties! However, most effects are quite weak. Iron,
nickel and cobalt interact much more strongly and are classed as ferromagnetic materials. This
means that they have the ability to become magnetised.
Iron is a material that is easily magnetised Steel is harder to magnetise but more likely
but similarly easily loses it magnetic to remain permanently magnetised. The
characteristics as its domains are relatively magnetic properties of a material can be
mobile. It is categorised as a soft removed by heat or a physical knock. These
ferromagnetic material. actions give the domains sufficient energy to
randomise again.
Magnets can
 attract or repel one another
 attract certain types of metals
 align themselves with the poles of the Earth (and therefore be used in a compass.)
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 2 of 34

Why are magnets “magnetic”?

Ferromagnetic materials (usually iron) contain many small dipoles or domains. When these
dipoles and domains are aligned within the material, a magnetic effect is achieved. A random
arrangement of these domains means that the material does not exhibit magnetic properties.
 
 

 

Unmagnetised Magnetised
Although all atoms have spinning electrons, only a small number of materials are ferromagnetic,
and not all pieces of iron are magnets. Groups of around a billion atoms form domains. In un-
magnetised materials, the directions of the domains are random and so their fields cancel out.

All magnets have two poles

All magnets have two ends or faces called poles. One pole is called the North pole and the
other the South pole. Like poles will repel and unlike poles will attract each other. The North-
seeking pole, commonly called the north pole, on a magnet will point towards the Earth’s North
Pole.
Because magnets always have two poles, they are called dipolar. When a magnet is broken,
two new poles appear at the broken ends as shown below.

The properties of magnets are very similar to the forces between electrical charges, where
 like charges repel and opposite charges attract
 the force of attraction or repulsion increases as the distance between the charges
decreases.
This is one reason why there was thought to be a connection between electricity and
magnetism.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 3 of 34

Magnetic Fields
A magnet will exert a force on a nearby object that is either a magnet or a particular metal. We
classify this magnetic force as a non-contact field force.
The strength and direction of the force depends on where the object is
placed. We can predict and measure the direction and size of forces
around a magnet.
The set of forces surrounding a magnet is
called the magnetic field.
The shape of the field can be found by using
iron filings that line up with the direction of the
field at each point.
The strength of the magnetic field decreases
with the distance from the magnet.

Magnetic fields are vectors.

What are field lines?

The wind patterns in a certain area of

the ocean could be charted in a “sea Magnetic field strength
of arrows” representation like this: lines are similar to these
wind strength lines.
Each arrow represents both the
wind’s strength and its direction at a
certain point.
Field lines show the direction of the force at any point on an imaginary north monopole that is
placed near the magnet.

Magnetic field lines always are drawn from North to South.

Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 4 of 34

Magnetic Field Strength

 The symbol B is given to the magnetic field strength
 Its unit is the Tesla (T).
 It is a vector quantity, therefore
o It has both magnitude and direction.
o Two or more magnetic fields need to be added as vectors.
 Permanent magnets typically have B = 10-3 to 1T.

Remember, magnetic field lines start at the north poles and

travel through space to the south poles.
Magnets tend to point in the direction of the magnetic field.
(The North pole points in the direction of the field, the
South pole in the opposite direction.)
What about the Earth?
The earth’s magnetic field ~ 5 × 10-5T.

Why do north poles in compasses point to the North

Pole of the Earth?
This confusion has arisen because of the general deletion
of the word ‘seeking’ when referring to the poles of a
magnet. The north-seeking pole (North pole) of a compass points to the top of the earth. So the
direction of the field is the direction a small North magnet would point, this is actually towards
the so-called North pole. This is the opposite to a bar magnet.

Magnetic Fields around Wires

A conductor carrying an
electric current is always
surrounded by a magnetic
field.
That’s right: every current-
carrying wire becomes a
magnet!
Electromagnetism is a
temporary effect caused by
the flow of electric current
and it disappears when the current flow is stopped.
The magnetic field lines due to the current in a straight wire are
concentric circles with the wire at the centre. The direction of the
magnetic field can be found using the right-hand screw (grip) rule.
The wire is gripped with the right hand so that the
thumb lines up with the direction of current flow. The
direction of the magnetic field is given by the curl of
the fingers.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 5 of 34

The strength of the magnetic field caused by the flow of current in a wire is given by B = (k is
a constant). where k = 2 × 10-7 T m A-1.
The current in the lightning stroke passes from ground to cloud. The result of this is to generate
a magnetic field in the region of the stroke.
The force on a current carrying wire in a magnetic field.
Remember that
 For a current-carrying conductor there is an associated magnetic field.
(The direction of the field is given by the right-hand grip rule)
A consequence of this is that
 For a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic
field there is a force acting on it.
(The direction of the force can be determined by
the right hand force rule.)
In this rule, the hand is opened flat and the
fingers are aligned with the magnetic field. The
thumb is pointed in the direction of current flow
and the palm is now facing the direction of the
force.

Why is there a force on the wire?

The two magnetic fields will interact (as with two north poles repelling each other) and a force
will be produced. So if we have two wires parallel to each other, each carrying a current, then
both will be simultaneously creating its own magnetic field and under the influence of the other’s
magnetic field.

How strong is the force? n number of wires

If the field is perpendicular to the flow of current, the B strength of the field
force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is F = nBIL
proportional to the current, the length of wire in the I current
field, and the strength of the field. L length of the wire in
Forces between two parallel wires the field
Below, two wires are viewed from above. They have current flowing in
opposite directions.
Left Wire
Using the right Right Wire
hand rule, the Using the right
field direction is hand rule, the
clockwise field direction is
anti-clockwise
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 6 of 34

In between the two wires above, we can see that the field direction is the same for both wires:
down. As “likes repel”, this means that these two wires will repel each other.

If the current is
If the current is in the
in the same
opposite direction, there
direction, there is
is a repulsive force
an attractive
between the two wires
force between
the two wires

Loops of wire are called solenoids.

The electromagnetic effect of a current-carrying conductor can be magnified by using a
conductor shaped into a loop or series of coils.

The shape of the

magnetic field can be
given by another right
hand rule. The thumb
is in the direction of
the current and the
fingers give the
direction of the field.

A solenoid’s field lines Note that on the inside

are like a bar magnet. of the solenoid, the
One end of the field lines actually
solenoid can be travel from south to
N S
identified as the north.
“north” end, and the
other as the “south.”

Thus, we can create a bar magnet using a solenoid with current flowing through it. This is called
an electromagnet. The benefits of an electromagnet over a permanent bar magnet are that
 it can be turned on and off as required
 the field direction can be changed (ie. It’s poles can be reversed)
Alternative method to find direction: the Solenoid Rule.
Grip the entire coil with the right hand with the fingers wrapped in the direction of the current
flow, and the thumb will point to the North pole or in the direction of the magnetic field inside the
coil. This is often called the right hand solenoid rule. Test the two methods on the loops of wire
below.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 7 of 34

Circular motion (revisited)

If a constant force is acting on an object perpendicular to its direction of motion, the object will
travel in a circular path.

This force is given by F = .

Force on a moving charge
An electric current can be considered to be the movement of charge, therefore a moving charge
can be considered to be an electric current

Current is defined as I = .

The force on a current is given as F = Bil, which can be considered as F = .

This can be rewritten as F = Bqv, where v is the speed of the charge given as .
Using the right hand rule the direction of the force can be determined.
If an electron is moving to the left, it can be considered as a current to the right. The force will
always be perpendicular to the direction of motion, so it will result in circular motion.

Therefore we can equate F = with F = Bqv.

 Bqv = .
This applies when the velocity is low so that relativistic effects do not need to be taken into
consideration.

The equation Bqv = can also be simplified by cancelling v from both sides, this gives

 Bq = , where mv is the momentum of the electron.

Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 8 of 34

The force on a current

The force is on the wire is due to forces on the individual electrons moving in the wire.
When the electrons are constrained to move within
a conductor, then the force becomes the force
acting on the wire.
The experiment on the left shows a cathode ray
being bent by a magnetic field towards the top.
If the force on a charge remains perpendicular to its
motion, the charge will move in a circular arc. (This
is the same as an object attached to a string being
swung in a horizontal plane – the motion will be
circular.)

Generally, the magnitude of these forces is very small (in the order of 10-11N) but they are not
insignificant because the mass of an electron is 9.1 × 10-31 kg.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 9 of 34

Questions
1 2017 Question 1, 1 mark
A group of students is considering how to create a magnetic monopole.
Which one of the following is correct?
A. Break a bar magnet in half.
B. Pass a current through a long solenoid.
C. Pass a current through a circular loop of wire.
D. It is not known how to create a magnetic monopole.

The figure shows a bar magnet.

2 2007 Question 1, 2 marks
Complete the diagram by sketching five magnetic field lines around the magnet. You must
include arrows which show the direction of the magnetic field of the magnet.

3 2007 Question 2, 2 marks

A second bar magnet is placed next to the original as shown below.

Complete the diagram by sketching magnetic field lines to indicate the shape of the
magnetic field around the magnets.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 10 of 34

Two identical bar magnets of the same strength are arranged at right angles and are equidistant
from point P, as shown below.

For Question 1 only, ignore the Earth’s magnetic field.

4 2011 Question 1, 1 mark
At point P on the diagram, draw an arrow indicating the direction of the combined magnetic field
of the bar magnets.

5 2011 Question 2, 2 marks

The bar magnets are replaced by two weaker magnets. The two new magnets are identical to
each other. They are arranged at right angles and are equidistant from point P.
The magnitude of the magnetic field of a single bar magnet at point P is the same as the
magnitude of the magnetic field of Earth at point P. The direction of Earth’s magnetic field is
shown below.

At point P on the diagram, draw an arrow indicating the direction of the combined magnetic field
of the bar magnets and Earth.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 11 of 34

6 2000 Question 2, 2 marks

Which one of the diagrams (A - C) best indicates the direction of the magnetic field at point X,
a distance r from the lightning stroke? The direction of the current I is shown. The field at X is
shown as an arrow.

The left-hand side of the figure below shows three sources of magnetic fields. Three possible
magnetic field patterns in the shaded planes are shown on the right-hand side.

7 2005 Question 17, 3 marks

For each of the three sources draw a line linking the source to the magnetic field pattern it
produces.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 12 of 34

The following diagrams for questions 64 to 68 represent field distributions which may be either
electric or magnetic.
For each of these diagrams select one of the situations A to I listed below which could give rise
to this field.
8 1969 Question 64, 1 mark

A. Magnetic field around a long straight wire.

B. Electric field of two equal positive charges.

C. Electric field of two equal negative charges.

9 1969 Question 65, 1 mark
D. Electric field of two equal and opposite
charges.

E. Magnetic field in the centre of a long current-

carrying solenoid.

10 1969 Question 66, 1 mark F. Electric field on either side of a flat metal
plate bearing a positive charge.

G. Electric field on either side of a flat metal

plate bearing a negative charge.

H. Magnetic field near two parallel wires

carrying current in same direction.
11 1969 Question 67, 1 mark
I. Magnetic field near two parallel wires
carrying current in opposite directions.

12 1969 Question 68, 1 mark

Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 13 of 34

13 2007 Question 3, 2 marks

The figure below shows a power line at a mining site that carries a DC current of 2000 A running
from west to east.
The earth's magnetic field at the mining site is 4.0 × 10-5T, running horizontally from south to
north. An engineer is concerned about the electromagnetic force due to the earth's magnetic
field on the wire between the two support poles, which are 20 m apart.

Calculate the magnitude and direction (north, south, east, west, up, down) of the force due to
the earth's magnetic field on the 20 m section of wire between the two poles.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 14 of 34

A cut-away picture of a loudspeaker is shown below. It basically consists of a coil of wire that is
attached to a paper cone, and placed in a strong radial magnetic field. In a sound system this
coil would be supplied with an alternating current from an audio amplifier. The section view of
the unit (second figure below) shows the direction of the magnetic field relative to the coil more
clearly.

14 2004 Question 13, 2 marks

When the current in the coil is flowing into the page on the left side of the coil (as in the second
figure), which of the statements below gives the direction of motion of the coil (and the attached
cone)?
A. It will move up the page.
B. It will move down the page.
C. It will rotate clockwise (viewed from in front of the loudspeaker core).
D. It will rotate anticlockwise (viewed from in front of the loudspeaker core).

The diameter of the coil is 0.04 m, and consists of 200 turns of wire. The uniform radial
magnetic field through the coil is 0.4 T.
15 2004 Question 14, 3 marks
What is the magnitude of the force on the coil when a current of 0.5 A is flowing?
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 15 of 34

Two parallel straight conductors cross a metre ruler at right angles at the 30 cm and 70 cm
marks.
They carry currents of I and 3I respectively, in the same direction.

16 1974 Question 75, 1 mark

At which point on the ruler is the net magnetic field zero?

17 1974 Question 76, 1 mark

The current 3I is reversed.
At which point on the ruler is the net magnetic field now zero?
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 16 of 34

Two identical square loops of wire are at right angles to each other and have a common centre
O. The magnetic field produced at O, when a current I flows through the vertical loop, is B.

18 1971 Question 98, 1 mark

What is the magnitude of the magnetic field at O when both loops carry current I?

19 1971 Question 99, 1 mark

What is the magnitude of the magnetic field when the vertical loop carries current I and the
horizontal loop carries current 2I?

20 1971 Question 100, 1 mark

If the current in either loop can be made to be +I, -I or zero, how many different directions can
the resultant magnetic field take at O? (Ignore the case of zero resultant field.)

21 1971 Question 101, 1 mark

The vertical loop is now replaced by a vertical coil which consists of 3 turns, each identical with
the original loop.
If current I flows through this coil and through the horizontal loop, what is the magnitude of the
magnetic field at O?
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 17 of 34

22 2008 Question 1, 2 marks

The figure below shows a coil of wire connected to a battery. The plane of the coil is
perpendicular to the page.

Draw five magnetic field lines to show the magnetic field through the coil. You should
include arrows to show direction.

A coil of wire is placed around an iron bar. The coil is connected to a DC battery.

23 2009 Question 4, 2 marks

On the diagram, draw four lines, each with an arrow indicating direction, that show the magnetic
field in the region around the iron bar.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 18 of 34

The figure below shows a solenoid powered by a battery.

24 2006 Question 1, 3 marks

Complete the diagram above by sketching five magnetic field lines created by the solenoid.
Make sure that you clearly show the direction of the field, including both inside and outside the
solenoid.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 19 of 34

The following information relates to Questions 3 – 5.

A rectangular loop of wire, PQRS, of sides PQ = 4.0 cm and QR = 8.0 cm, is placed inside the
solenoid as shown below.
The loop has 3 turns of wire. A current of 4.0 amps flows in the loop, in the direction indicated
by the arrow.
The uniform magnetic field strength inside the solenoid is 5.0 × 10–2 T.

25 2010 Question 3, 1 mark

Draw an arrow on Figure 2 to indicate the direction of the force on the side PQ.

26 2010 Question 4, 2 marks

What is the magnitude of the force on the side PQ? Show your working.

27 2010 Question 5, 2 marks

What is the force (magnitude and direction) on the side QR? Explain your answer.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 20 of 34

Use the following information to answer Questions 3 and 4.

An electron gun is used to inject electrons into the linac of a synchrotron. The figure below
shows a schematic diagram of the electron gun. The mass of an electron is 9.1 × 10–31 kg and
the charge on an electron is 1.6 × 10–19 C.

An electron leaves the electron gun travelling at 2.7 × 107 m s–1. The electron enters a uniform
magnetic field and moves in a circular path of radius 14 cm, as shown.

28 2012 Question 3, 2 marks

Which of the following is the best estimate of the magnitude of the strength of the magnetic
field?
A. 1.1 mT
B. 0.11 T
C. 910 T
D. 30 kT

29 2012 Question 4, 2 marks

Which of the following best describes the direction of the magnetic field?
A. down the page
B. out of the page
C. up the page
D. into the page
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 21 of 34

A negatively charged particle is fired at right angles into a uniform magnetic field which is
directed out of the page as shown below.

30 1985 Question 72, 1 mark

Which diagram (A - E) below best shows the path of this negatively charged particle while it is in
the magnetic field?
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 22 of 34

Use the following information to answer Questions 3 and 4.

Electrons with a velocity of 1.30 × 106 m s-1 are injected into a uniform magnetic field, and move
in a semicircle of radius 0.350 m, as shown below.
The mass of the electron is 9.1 × 10-31 kg and charge –1.6 × 10-19 C.

31 2011 Question 3, 2 marks

Which of the following best gives the value of the magnetic field?
A. 5.9 × 10–13 T
B. 2.1 × 10–5 T
C. 4.2 × 10–2 T
D. 27.5 T

32 2011 Question 4, 2 marks

Which of the following best gives the speed of the electrons as they exit the magnetic field?
A. 0 m s-1
B. much less than 1.30 × 106 m s-1
C. 1.30 × 106 m s-1
D. greater than 1.30 × 106 m s-1
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 23 of 34

A typical cathode ray tube is shown below. It consists of an electron gun, a deflecting system
and a fluorescent screen that emits light when struck by electrons.

The electron gun consists of a filament that emits electrons with very small kinetic energy into
an electric field created by a high voltage, V, applied between a pair of parallel plates. In a
particular case the electrons emerge from the gun with an energy of 8.0 × 10-16 J.
Charge on the electron: e = .1.6 × 10-19 C

33 2005 Question 8, 2 marks

After acceleration, the electrons enter the magnetic-deflecting system which consists of two
pairs of mutually perpendicular magnetic-field coils (W and X), (Y and Z) aligned as shown
above. The electrons are deflected downwards, as shown.
Choose one of the following options to complete the sentence.
The downward deflection can be achieved by the coils
A. WX producing a magnetic field in direction W to X.
B. WX producing a magnetic field in direction X to W.
C. YZ producing a magnetic field in direction Y to Z.
D. YZ producing a magnetic field in direction Z to Y.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 24 of 34

J. J. Thomson performed a series of experiments with cathode rays (electrons). In one

experiment, the rays were first passed through a region of mutually perpendicular electric and
magnetic fields (E and B), which were adjusted until the rays were undeflected (shown below).
The electric field was produced by a pair of oppositely charged plates.

34 1982 Question 57, 1 mark

Write an expression for the velocity, v, of the undeflected cathode rays in terms of E and B.

The magnetic field was then removed; the electric field was kept at the same strength (E) as
before. The plates were of length L metre; the deflection of the rays was d metre (shown below).

35 1982 Question 58, 1 mark

Derive an expression for:
the acceleration of the electrons in terms of e, m and E.

36 1982 Question 59, 1 mark

Derive an expression for:
d in terms of e, m, E, L, and v.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 25 of 34

A charged particle of mass m kg, charge q coulomb enters a region of uniform magnetic field
B N A-1 m-1 with speed v m s-1, and moves in a circle of radius R m.
37 1977 Question 62, 1 mark
Which of the following statements is true?
A. The directions of the field, the force on the particle and its velocity are all at right angles to
one another.
B. The force is at right angles to the velocity of the particle, and is parallel to the direction of
the field.
C. The force is at right angles to the velocity of the particle, and is opposite to the direction of
the field.
D. The field is a circular one, and the direction of motion follows the field; the force is at right
angles to the plane of the field.

38 1977 Question 63, 1 mark

What is the time taken for the particle to make one complete revolution?

39 1977 Question 64, 1 mark

How much work has been done on the particle during this one revolution?
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 26 of 34

The velocity selector of a mass spectrograph is shown below. By adjusting the uniform magnetic
field B, (directed into the page), and the uniform electric field between the plates P and Q, ions
with a particular velocity can be made to move in a straight line through the region.
(The charge on the electron = 1.6 × 10-19 C.)

In an experiment, singly charged ions of lithium (Li+) enter the region at R at a speed of 5.0 ×
105 m s-1
The electric and magnetic fields are adjusted so that the lithium ions travel in a straight line RS.
40 1988 Question 51, 1 mark
If the electric field strength, E, is adjusted to 2.0 × 104 V m-1, what is the magnitude of the
magnetic field strength B, for the ions to travel in this straight line?
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 27 of 34

41 2006 Question 7, 3 marks

A simplified set-up for an electron gun is shown below. It contains a high-voltage source (HV). In
normal operation, electrons emerge from the gun with energies of 5 keV.

Calculate the velocity for electrons of energy 5 keV. (me = 9.11 × 10-31 kg)

42 2006 Question 8, 3 marks

As high-energy electrons pass through one of the bending magnets in the Australian
Synchrotron Facility, they are bent through an arc of radius 7 m. The magnetic field strength is
1.7 T (Wb m-2). Use the information above to determine the momentum of the electrons. Include
a unit in your answer. (Ignore any relativistic effects in your calculation.)
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 28 of 34

Solutions
2011 Question 2, 37%
2017 Question 1, 65%
The Earth’s field will be cancelled by the field
It is not known how to produce a magnetic
from the South Pole of the magnet.
monopole.
 the combined field will just be the field
 D (ANS)
created by the North pole of the other
magnet.
2007 Question 1, 73%

The lines leave the left North end, turn

around and go either above or below the
magnet towards the South end, then turn
around and enter the South end. The arrows
on the lines at either end should point to the
left, while the arrows on the line above and
below the magnet should point to the right.
2000 Question 2
2007 Question 2, 73%

2011 Question 1, 44%

 A (ANS)

2005 Question 17, 89%

A to F
B to D
C to E

The direction of the field is given by the sum The secret to doing multiple choice questions
of the fields from the horizontal magnet (to is to not look at the answers, but to work
the right) and from the vertical magnet your own out and then find the one that
(down). The two components have the same agrees with you.
size so the angle needed to be 450.
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 29 of 34

Diagram A is of a coil, we use coils to hand grip rule. This is the magnetic field
become 'bar' magnets, so the field around a about two wires with the current coming out
coil must look like the field around a bar of the page in the top wire and the current
magnet. F is the best option. going into the page in the bottom wire
The next easiest one to deal with is 'C'.  I (ANS)

So 'C' is a straight current carrying 2007 Question 3, 80%

conductor, so the field is given by the
direction that the fingers curl if the thumb is Use F = nBil,
in the direction of the current. This means Where n = 1, B = 4.0 × 10-5 T, I = 2000.0 A,
that they are concentric circles, the direction and L = 20 m.
of the field is controlled by the direction of  F = 1 × 4.0 × 10-5 × 2000 × 20
the current (which is not shown)  F = 1.6 N (ANS)
That means that 'B' must behave like two The field is in the N direction, the current is
versions of 'C'. The field lines will be in the to the left, hence the force is UP. (ANS)
opposite direction if the direction of the
current was given, then you could show this. 2004 Question 13, 50%
The non-concentric circles are a result of the
interaction between the two fields. Consider the left hand side only of the
second figure. The field is from the left to the
1969 Question 64, 88% right, the current is into the page, therefore
from the right hand rule the force down the
The field lines from the points are in opposite page.
directions. This means that the fields cannot  B (ANS)
be gravitational.
The fields are due to two point charges of 2004 Question 14, 56%
opposite sign.
 D (ANS) Use F = nBIL.
The difficulty is calculating ‘L’.
1969 Question 65, 76% In this case it is the length of wire in the field,
which is actually the circumference of the
The definition of the field in the centre of a wire.
solenoid is that it is uniform. L=π×d
 E (ANS) L=π×d
 F = 200 × 0.4 × 0.5 π × 0.04
1969 Question 66, 81%
 F = 5.03 N (ANS)
The definition of the field around a flat metal
plate is that the field goes from the positive Be careful with the measurements of the wire
to the negative (10 mm = 0.01 m)
 F (ANS)
1974 Question 75, 81%
1969 Question 67, 80% Between the two wires, the field from the
The electric field about two positive charges wire with 3I will be out of the page. The field
is away from the charges. The two fields will from the wire with current I will be into the
combine as vectors. page. These two fields can cancel each
 B (ANS) other. The field from the right hand wire is 3
times stronger than the field from the left
1969 Question 68, 80% hand wire. Therefore it will be three times
closer to the left hand wire. The point will be
The direction of the magnetic field about
current carrying wires is given by the right-
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 30 of 34

30 cm from the right hand wire and 10 cm

from the left hand wire.
 40 cm (ANS)
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 31 of 34

1974 Question 76, 36% The field from the vertical loop is now 3B.
The field from the horizontal loop is B. From
The field from the right hand wire is now in
Pythagoras
the same direction as the field from the left
hand wire between the two wires. Therefore  B (ANS)
the point needs to be to the left of the left
hand wire. The field from the right hand wire 2008 Question 1, 60%
is three times as strong as from the left hand
wire, so the point must be three times as far The current flows from the +ve terminal to
from the right hand wire as it is from the left the –ve terminal of the battery.
hand wire. This occurs when the point is 20 Use the right – hand grip rule to find that the
cm from the left hand wire and 60 cm from direction of the field inside the loop is going
the right hand wire. from left to right through the loop, as shown.
 10 cm (ANS)

1971 Question 98, 52%

Both loops will create a field, B. They will be
perpendicular to each other. The net field is
the vector sum of both.
 B (ANS)

1971 Question 99, 51%

The field from then vertical loop will be B.
The filed from the horizontal loop will be 2B. Make sure that you draw 5 magnetic field
1
Using Pythagoras, the vector addition is lines that pass through the loop. The
direction should be indicated on your field
lines by an arrow.
2
2009 Question 4, 60%

 B (ANS)
N
1971 Question 100, 30%
Each combination will create a different net
field.
Current Loop 1 Current Loop 2 I S
+I +I
+I 0
+I -I The direction of the field due to the current in
-I +I the coil is given by the right hand grip rule. If
-I 0 the thumb of your right hand is pointing in the
-I -I direction of the arrow at the bottom of the
0 +I iron bar, then your fingers will tend to coil
0 -I and point up, giving the direction of the field
 8 (ANS) in the iron bar.
2006 Question 1, 61%
1971 Question 101, 40%
field
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 32 of 34

B=

B=
 B = 1.1 × 10-3
 A (ANS)

2012 (Synchrotron) Question 4, 68%

The conventional current goes up the left Initially the current is to the left (negative
wire and down the right wire back to the charge), and the force is down the page.
battery. This means the current comes down This means that the field is into the page.
the front of the solenoid and up the back.  D (ANS)
Using the Right hand Grip Rule, the
magnetic field will leave the right hand end of 1985 Question 72, 58%
the solenoid, turn around and head to the left With the field out of the page, using the right
above and below the solenoid, then turn and hand force rule will give a force up the page,
enter the left end of the solenoid. The field as the current is in the opposite direction of
inside the solenoid will point from left to right. the motion of the charge. The force will be
perpendicular to the motion while the charge
2010 Question 3, 70% is in the field.
The field is acting to the left (from Q1) the  A (ANS)
current is going from Q to P.
Using the right hand rule, the force will be 2011 (Synchrotron) Question 3, 86%
downwards.

Use = Bqv.
 mv = Bqr

B=
2010 Question 4, 70%
Using F = nBiL gives B=
F = 3 × 5.0 × 10-2 × 4.0 × 4.0 × 10-2  B = 2.1 × 10-5
 F = 240 × 10-4  B (ANS)
 F = 0.024 N (ANS)
2011 (Synchrotron) Question 4, 40%
2010 Question 5, 70% The electrons travel in a circular path, this
The current in QR is parallel to the field of means that their speed is constant.
the solenoid, therefore the force will be zero.  C (ANS)
 0 N (ANS)
2005 Question 8, 47%
2012 (Synchrotron) Question 3, 80% You need to use the right hand force rule for
this. The electrons are moving to the right, so
you thumb needs to point to the left
Use = Bqv. (electrons are negative, thumb is positive
 mv = Bqr current). The deflection is down so your palm
must face down the page. Your fingers
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 33 of 34

should now be pointing into the page, thus For a particle to move in circular motion, the
the magnetic field would be into the page, acceleration (force) needs to be
from Y to Z. perpendicular to the motion (velocity). From
 C (ANS) the right hand force rule, the force is
perpendicular to the field.
1982 Question 57, 64% A (ANS)
If the beam is undeflected, then the force
1977 Question 63, 53%
due to the electric field must be exactly
opposite to the force due to the magnetic If the velocity is v, and the radius is R, then
field. the distance travelled in one revolution is
The electric force is F = qE. The magnetic 2πR,
force is F = Bqv, where v is the velocity.
 qE = Bqv v=

v= T=

v= (ANS)
Using F = Bqv = gives
1982 Question 58, 57%
Bq =
Since the only force acting is due to the
electric field and it is constant, the particles
will undergo projectile motion.  =

The acceleration = , where F = eE T=

a = (ANS)
T= or (ANS)
1982 Question 59, 19%
1977 Question 64, 50%
The time it takes for the electrons to travel
Since it is moving in a circle, the speed
doesn’t change, so the KE is constant.
the distance L is found by using v = Therefore no work is done on it in a
revolution.
 t = , in the time the distance it 0 J (ANS)
travels in the perpendicular direction is ‘d’.
Initially its speed in this direction is zero, 1988 Question 51
therefore If the charged ion, travels straight through
along RS, the net force acting on the ion
d = ut + at2.
must be zero. The two forces acting on the
ion, are due to the Electric field and the
d=0+ × × magnetic field, they must be equal in
magnitude, but opposite in direction.
Use Bqv = Eq
d= (ANS) B×1.6 ×10-19 × 5.0×105 =2.0 ×104 × 1.6
×10-19
1977 Question 62, 69%
B=
Physics Unit 3 2024 8 Magnetic fields 34 of 34

 B = 0.04 T (ANS)

2006 Question 7, 58%

The electrons have 5 keV of energy.
Convert the eV’s into joules, by multiplying
by 1.6 × 10-19
 E = 5000 × 1.6 × 10-19
 E = 8 × 10-16 J
Use Ek = mv2 to find the velocity.
8 × 10-16 = × 9.1 × 10-31 × v2
 v2 = 1.76 × 1015
 v = 4.2 × 107 m s-1 (ANS)

2006 Question 8, 58%

From the stem of the question you get
B = 1.7 T, r = 7 m, q = 1.6 × 10-19 C
Use

 mv = Brq
 mv = 1.7 × 7 × 1.6 × 10-19
 p = 1.9 × 10-18 kg m s-1 (ANS)