Problem Solving

PHY112 - Principles of Physics II

Summer 2025
Sayeda Tashnuba Jahan

All of these problems have been solved from Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Ed.

Chapter 28 - Magnetic Fields

Problem 26
A charged particle enters a region of uniform magnetic field B, travels through a
half-circle, and exits. The time spent in the field is t = 130 ns. The particle is either
a proton or an electron (to be decided).
(a) Find the magnitude |B|.

(b) If the particle is sent back with twice the initial kinetic energy, how long does
it spend in the field on that trip?
Answer:

When a charged particle of charge q and mass m moves with velocity v perpendicular
to a uniform magnetic field B, the force provides the centripetal acceleration:
mv 2 mv
qvB = ⇒ r= .
r qB
The angular frequency of the circular motion is
qB
ω= ,
m
so the period of the circular orbit is
2π 2πm
T = = .
ω qB
Since the particle executes only a half-circle, the time spent in the field is
T
t= .
2
From T = 2t we find
2πm πm
B= = .
qT qt
From the figure in the textbook, the curvature of the path matches the deflection
expected for a positive charge (right-hand rule). Thus, the particle is a proton.

Constants:

mp = 1.6726 × 10−27 kg, q = e = 1.6022 × 10−19 C, t = 130 ns = 130 × 10−9 s.

Insert into the formula:
πmp
B= .
qt
Numerator:
πmp = (3.1416)(1.6726 × 10−27 ) ≈ 5.255 × 10−27 .
Denominator:

qt = (1.6022 × 10−19 )(130 × 10−9 ) = 2.083 × 10−26 .

Therefore:
5.255 × 10−27
B= ≈ 0.252 T.
2.083 × 10−26
So
|B| ≈ 0.252 T .
The period of cyclotron motion,
2πm
T = ,
qB
depends only on m, q, and B, not on v or the kinetic energy. Thus, if the kinetic
energy is doubled, the time to traverse a half-circle remains the same:

tnew = 130 ns .

• The particle is a proton.

• Magnetic field: |B| = 0.252 T.

• Time with doubled kinetic energy: 130 ns.

Problem 45
A wire 50.0 cm long carries a 0.500 A current in the positive direction of an x axis
through a magnetic field

B = (3.00 mT) ȷ̂ + (10.0 mT) k̂.

In unit-vector notation, what is the magnetic force on the wire?

Answer:

The magnetic force on a straight current-carrying wire of (vector) length L is

F = I L × B.

Here the wire lies along the +ı̂ direction with length

L = 50.0 cm = 0.500 m,
so
L = L ı̂ = 0.500 ı̂ m.
Write the magnetic field in SI units:

B = (3.00 × 10−3 ) ȷ̂ + (10.0 × 10−3 ) k̂ T.

Compute the cross product:

L × B = (0.500ı̂) × (3.00 × 10−3 )ȷ̂ + (10.0 × 10−3 )k̂

= 0.500 (3.00 × 10−3 )(ı̂ × ȷ̂) + (10.0 × 10−3 )(ı̂ × k̂)

= 0.500 (3.00 × 10−3 )k̂ + (10.0 × 10−3 )(− ȷ̂)

= (−5.00 × 10−3 ) ȷ̂ + (1.50 × 10−3 ) k̂ m·T.

Multiply by the current I = 0.500 A:

F = I(L×B) = 0.500 (−5.00×10−3 )ȷ̂+(1.50×10−3 )k̂ = (−2.50×10−3 ) ȷ̂+(7.50×10−4 ) k̂ N.

Final answer:
F = −2.50 × 10−3 ȷ̂ + 7.50 × 10−4 k̂ N .

Problem 77
In Fig. 28-55 an electron moves with speed v = 100 m/s along the x-axis through
uniform electric and magnetic fields. The magnetic field B is directed into the page
and has magnitude 5.00 T. In unit-vector notation, what is the electric field?

Answer:

The Lorentz force on a particle of charge q is

F = q(E + v × B).

For the electron to move in a straight line at constant velocity (no deflection), the
net force must be zero:

E+v×B=0 ⇒ E = − v × B.

The given vectors are

v = 100 ı̂ m/s, B = −5.00 k̂ T,

(the minus sign for k̂ indicates “into the page”)

Compute the cross product:

v × B = (100 ı̂) × (−5.00 k̂) = 100(−5.00)(ı̂ × k̂) = 100(−5.00)(− ȷ̂) = 500 ȷ̂.

Thus
E = −500 ȷ̂ V/m .
Chapter 29 - Magnetic Fields due to Currents
Extra Problem
A wire carrying a current I is bent into the shape of an equilateral triangle of side
L.
(a) Find the magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of the triangle.

(b) At a point halfway between the center and any vertex, is the field stronger or
weaker than at the center? Give a qualitative argument.
Answer:

(a) We use the Biot–Savart law. For a straight finite segment a distance r from
the field point and with the two ends making angles θ1 , θ2 (measured from the per-
pendicular to the segment),
µ0 I

Bsegment = sin θ1 + sin θ2 .
4πr
For an equilateral triangle of side L the centroid (center) is a perpendicular distance
√
3
r= L
6
from any side. For one side the two angles are equal,

θ1 = θ2 = 30◦ ,

so the sine sum is sin 30◦ + sin 30◦ = 12 + 12 = 1. A direct Biot–Savart evaluation for
the finite segment (or substituting the geometry) yields the single-side contribution
µ0 I √
Bone side = 3.
4πr
Summing the three identical contributions:
√
µ0 I √
 
3 3 µ0 I
Bcenter = 3 Bone side = 3 3 = .
4πr 4πr
√
3
Substitute r = L:
6
√
3 3 µ0 I 6 18 µ0 I 9 µ0 I
Bcenter = ·√ = = .
4π 3L 4πL 2πL
Thus
9µ0 I
Bcenter =
2πL
directed perpendicular to the plane (use right-hand rule; CCW current ⇒ out of the
plane).
(b) Qualitatively the field halfway between the center and a vertex is stronger
than at the center: moving toward a vertex brings you closer to two nearby sides
(whose contributions increase) while the decrease from the distant side does not
compensate, so the net magnitude increases. A direct Biot–Savart numeric check
(example L = 1, I = 1) gives |Bcenter | ≈ 1.80×10−6 T and |Bhalfway | ≈ 2.79×10−6 T,
confirming the qualitative result.

Problem 10
In Fig. 29-41 a wire forms a semicircle of radius R = 9.26 cm and two (radial) straight
segments each of length L = 13.1 cm. The wire carries current i = 34.8 mA. Find
(a) the magnitude and (b) the direction (into or out of the page) of the net magnetic
field at the semicircle’s center of curvature C.

Answer:

The magnetic field due to a current element is given by the Biot–Savart law,
µ0 i dℓ × r̂
dB = .
4π r2
Two observations simplify the calculation:

1. The two straight segments are radial (collinear with the radius through C).
For any element of a radial segment the direction dℓ is parallel to the vector
from that element to C, so dℓ × r = 0. Hence the straight segments produce
no magnetic field at C.

2. The semicircular arc (angle θ = π) is at distance R from C; the known result

for the field at the center of an arc of angle θ is
µ0 i
Barc = θ.
4πR
For a semicircle (θ = π) this reduces to
µ0 i
Bsemi = .
4R

Thus the net magnetic field at C is just that from the semicircle:
µ0 i
B= .
4R
Substitute values (showing steps):

µ0 = 4π×10−7 T · m/A, i = 34.8 mA = 34.8×10−3 A, R = 9.26 cm = 0.0926 m.

4π × 10−7 · (34.8 × 10−3 ) π × 10−7 · (34.8 × 10−3 )

B= = .
4 · 0.0926 0.0926
Evaluating numerically,

B ≈ 1.18064 × 10−7 T ≈ 0.118 µT.

Direction. The semicircle shown in the figure carries current in the clockwise sense
(from one radial segment through the top of the semicircle to the other radial seg-
ment). By the right-hand rule a clockwise current gives a magnetic field at the
center pointing into the page. Thus the net field at C is into the page.

Final answers:

B = 1.1806 × 10−7 T ≈ 1.18 × 10−7 T (= 0.118 µT), direction: into the page.

Problem 23
Figure 29-51 shows a snapshot of a proton moving with velocity v = (−200 m/s)ȷ̂
toward a long straight wire carrying current i = 350 mA. At the instant shown the
proton’s distance from the wire is d = 2.89 cm. In unit-vector notation, what is the
magnetic force on the proton due to the current?

Answer:

The magnetic field at distance d from a long straight wire carrying current i has
magnitude
µ0 i
B= ,
2πd
and circulates around the wire (right-hand rule). Using µ0 = 4π × 10−7 T · m/A,
i = 0.350 A, and d = 0.0289 m,
4π × 10−7 · 0.350
B= ≈ 2.4221453 × 10−6 T.
2π · 0.0289
From the figure the field at the proton’s position is out of the page, so B = B k̂.
The proton’s velocity is v = −200 ȷ̂ m/s. The magnetic force is

F = q(v × B),

with q = +e = 1.602176634 × 10−19 C. Compute the cross product:

v × B = (−200 ȷ̂) × (B k̂) = −200B(ȷ̂ × k̂) = −200B ı̂.

Hence
F = q(−200B) ı̂ = −200qB ı̂.
Numerically,

|F| = 200(1.602176634 × 10−19 )(2.4221453 × 10−6 ) ≈ 7.76 × 10−23 N.

Therefore the magnetic force is

F = −7.76 × 10−23 ı̂ N.
Problem 53
A long solenoid has 100 turns/cm and carries a current i. An electron moves within
the solenoid in a circle of radius r = 2.30 cm perpendicular to the solenoid axis.
The speed of the electron is v = 0.0460 c. Find the current i in the solenoid.

Answer:

The magnetic field inside a long solenoid is

B = µ0 ni,

where n is the number of turns per meter. The given 100 turns/cm corresponds to

n = 100 turns/cm × 100 cm/m = 10,000 turns/m.

The electron moves in a circle due to the magnetic force:

me v 2
Fcentripetal = Fmagnetic ⇒ = evB.
r
Solve for B:
me v
B= .
er
Substitute values:

me = 9.109 × 10−31 kg, e = 1.602 × 10−19 C, v = 0.0460c = 1.38 × 107 m/s,

r = 2.30 cm = 0.0230 m.
Plugging these values in,

(9.109 × 10−31 )(1.38 × 107 )

B= ≈ 3.41 × 10−3 T.
(1.602 × 10−19 )(0.0230)
Finally, the solenoid current:

B 3.41 × 10−3
i= = ≈ 0.271 A.
µ0 n (4π × 10−7 )(1.0 × 104 )
Answer:
i ≈ 0.271 A

Problem 66 : Optional
Two long wires lie in the xy-plane, and each carries a current in the positive x-
direction. Wire 1 is at y1 = 10.0 cm and carries I1 = 6.00 A; wire 2 is at y2 = 5.00 cm
and carries I2 = 10.0 A.

(a) Find the net magnetic field B at the origin in unit-vector notation.

(b) At what value of y does B = 0?

 (c) If the current in wire 1 is reversed, at what y does B = 0?

Answer:

(a) Net magnetic field at the origin. The magnetic field at distance r from
a long straight wire is
µ0 I
B=
2πr
and points into or out of the page according to the right-hand rule. Both wires
produce fields at the origin into the page (−k̂):

µ0 I1 4π · 10−7 · 6.00
B1 = = = 1.2 × 10−5 T
2πy1 2π · 0.10

µ0 I2 4π · 10−7 · 10.0
B2 = = = 4.0 × 10−5 T
2πy2 2π · 0.05
Bnet = −(B1 + B2 )k̂ = −5.2 × 10−5 k̂ T
(b) Point where B = 0 (currents same direction). Let the zero field be at
y = y0 between the wires. Then
I1 I2 I1
= =⇒ y1 − y0 = (y0 − y2 )
y1 − y0 y0 − y2 I2
6.00
0.10 − y0 = (y0 − 0.05) = 0.6(y0 − 0.05)
10.0
0.10 − y0 = 0.6y0 − 0.03 =⇒ 0.13 = 1.6y0 =⇒ y0 = 0.08125 m = 8.13 cm
(c) If I1 is reversed. Now the zero field is above wire 1:

I1 I2 6.00 10.0
= =⇒ =
y0 − y1 y0 − y2 y0 − 0.10 y0 − 0.05

6(y0 − 0.05) = 10(y0 − 0.10) =⇒ 6y0 − 0.30 = 10y0 − 1.0

−0.70 = 4y0 =⇒ y0 = 0.175 m = 17.5 cm
Answer:
(a) Bnet = −5.2 × 10−5 k̂ T
(b) y = 8.13 cm
(c) y = 17.5 cm

Chapter 30 - Induction and Inductance

Problem 15
A square wire loop with sides L = 2.00 m is perpendicular to a uniform magnetic
field, with half the area of the loop in the field. The loop contains an ideal battery
with emf Ebattery = 20.0 V. The magnetic field varies with time as B(t) = 0.0420 −
0.870 t (T, t in seconds). Find:
 (a) The net emf in the circuit.

(b) The direction of the net current around the loop.

Answer:

(a) Induced EMF. Faraday’s law gives

dΦB
Einduced = , ΦB = B Ain
dt
Half the area is in the field:
1 1
Ain = L2 = (2.00)2 = 2.00 m2
2 2
The time derivative of the magnetic field:
dB dB
= −0.870 T/s =⇒ Einduced = Ain = 2.00 · 0.870 = 1.74 V
dt dt
Net EMF:
Enet = Ebattery − Einduced = 20.0 − 1.74 = 18.26 V
(b) Direction of net current. The induced current opposes the decrease of mag-
netic flux (Lenz’s law). Since B is decreasing, the induced current flows to try to
increase B (into the page). The battery drives the current in its own direction, so
the net current flows in the same direction as the battery, slightly reduced
by the induced emf.

Answer:

(a) Enet ≈ 18.3 V, (b) Direction: same as battery current.

Problem 36 - Optional
Two circular regions R1 and R2 have radii r1 = 0.20 m and r2 = 0.30 m. In R1 there
is a uniform magnetic field B1 = 50.0 mT into the page, and in R2 a uniform field
B2 = 75.0 mT out of the page. Both fields decrease at a rate 8.50 mT/s. The line
integrals are to be computed along paths: - Path 1: anticlockwise around R1 - Path
2: clockwise around R2 - Path 3: anticlockwise enclosing both regions

Answer:

Faraday’s Law: I Z
dΦB
E · ds = − , ΦB = B dA
dt
(a) Path 1 (anticlockwise around R1 ):
I
d
E · ds = − (B1 πr12 ) = −(πr12 dB1 /dt)
dt
 r12 π = 0.04π, dB1 /dt = −0.00850 T/s
I
E · ds = −(0.04π · −0.00850) = 1.07 × 10−3 V

(b) Path 2 (clockwise around R2 ):

I
E · ds = −(πr22 dB2 /dt) = −(0.09π · −0.00850) ≈ 2.40 × 10−3 V

(c) Path 3 (anticlockwise enclosing both regions):

ΦB = −B1 πr12 + B2 πr22

dΦB dB1 dB2

= −πr12 +πr22 = (0.04π)(0.00850)+(0.09π)(−0.00850) ≈ −1.34×10−3 V
dt dt dt
I
dΦB
E · ds = − ≈ 1.34 × 10−3 V
dt
Direction: The line integral is positive along the specified path directions (anti-
clockwise for Path 1 and 3, clockwise for Path 2), consistent with the induced electric
field directions.

Answer:
Path 1: 1.07 × 10−3 V (anticlockwise)
Path 2: 2.40 × 10−3 V (clockwise)
Path 3: 1.34 × 10−3 V (anticlockwise)

Problem 45
At a given instant, the current and self-induced EMF in an inductor are both directed
rightward. The induced EMF is EL = 17 V, and the rate of change of current is
dI/dt = 25 kA/s. Find:

(a) Is the current increasing or decreasing?

(b) The inductance L.

Answer:

(a) Current increasing or decreasing: For an inductor:

dI
EL = −L .
dt
- The induced EMF always opposes the change in current (Lenz’s law).

- Here, the EMF is in the same direction as the current (both rightward).

- Therefore, the inductor is opposing the current, which means the current is
decreasing in that direction.
(b) Inductance: The magnitude of EMF is related to inductance:

dI |EL |
|EL | = L =⇒ L =
dt |dI/dt|

17 V
L= = 6.8 × 10−4 H = 0.680 mH
2.5 × 104 A/s
Answer:
(a) Current is decreasing, (b) L = 0.680 mH.

Problem 79
In Fig. 30-71, the battery is ideal and E = 10 V, R1 = 5.0Ω, R2 = 10Ω, and
L = 5.0H. Switch S is closed at time t = 0. Just afterwards, what are (a) i1 , (b) i2 ,
(c) the current is through the switch, (d) the potential difference V2 across resistor
2 , (e) the potential difference VL across the inductor, and (f) the rate of change
di2 /dr? A long time later, what are (g) i5 ,(h) i3 , (i) i5 , (j) V2 , (k) VL , and (l) di2 /dr ?

Answer:

Given: E = 10 V, R1 = 5.0 Ω, R2 = 10 Ω, L = 5.0 H. At t = 0 the switch

S is closed. The left branch is just R1 ; the right branch is L in series with R2 . Both
branches are directly across the ideal battery, so the node-to-node voltage is always
E = 10 V.

Key facts about the inductor:

di2
vL (t) = L , i2 (0− ) = 0, i2 is continuous at t = 0.
dt
Right-branch KVL for t ≥ 0:
di2 E L 5
1 − e−t/τ , τ =


L + R2 i2 = E =⇒ i2 (t) = = = 0.5 s.
dt R2 R2 10
Current in the left branch is purely resistive and constant:
E 10
i1 (t) = = = 2.0 A.
R1 5
The switch current is is (t) = i1 (t) + i2 (t).
Immediately after closing, t = 0+ :
10
(a) i1 (0+ ) = = 2.0 A ,
5
(b) i2 (0+ ) = i2 (0− ) = 0 ,
(c) is (0+ ) = i1 (0+ ) + i2 (0+ ) = 2.0 A ,
(d) V2 (0+ ) = i2 (0+ )R2 = 0 V ,
(e) VL (0+ ) = E − V2 (0+ ) = 10 V ,
di2 VL (0+ ) 10
(f) = = = 2.0 A/s .
dt 0+ L 5
A long time later, t → ∞: The inductor is a short (di2 /dt → 0). Thus the right
branch becomes just R2 across the battery.
10
(g) i1 (∞) = = 2.0 A ,
5
10
(h) i2 (∞) = = 1.0 A ,
10
(i) is (∞) = i1 (∞) + i2 (∞) = 3.0 A ,
(j) V2 (∞) = i2 (∞)R2 = 1 × 10 = 10 V ,
(k) VL (∞) = 0 V ,
di2
(l) = 0 A/s .
dt t→∞
Checks: The branch voltage is always 10 V. Initially the inductor carries no current,
so it must support the full 10 V (hence V2 (0+ ) = 0); at steady state the inductor
drop is 0 V and R2 takes the full 10 V.

Chapter 31 - Electromagnetic Oscillations and Alternating

Current
Problem 34
An ac generator with emfE = ξm sin ωd t, where ξm = 25.0 V and ωd = 377rad/s, is
connected to a 4.15µ F capacitor. (a) What is the maximum value of the current?
(b) When the current is a maximum, what is the emf of the generator? (c) When
the emf of the generator is -12.5 V and increasing in magnitude, what is the current?

Answer:

Current–voltage relation for a capacitor: The voltage across the capacitor

is the same as the generator emf:
vC (t) = E (t).
The current through a capacitor is given by
dvC
i(t) = C .
dt
Substituting:
d

i(t) = C ξm sin(ωt) = Cξm ω cos(ωt).
dt
Thus,
i(t) = Im cos(ωt), Im = Cωξm .
This shows that the current in a capacitor leads the voltage by 90◦ .

(a) Maximum current. The maximum current occurs when cos(ωt) = 1:

Imax = Cωξm .

Numerical value:

Imax = (4.15 × 10−6 )(377)(25.0) = 3.91 × 10−2 A.

Imax = 39.1 mA
(b) Generator emf when current is maximum. At maximum current, cos(ωt) =
1 ⇒ ωt = 0, 2π, . . .. Then
E (t) = ξm sin(ωt) = 0.
E = 0V
This confirms the phase relation: capacitor current peaks when voltage crosses zero.

(c) Current when E = −12.5 V and magnitude of emf is increasing. Equa-

tion for emf:
E −12.5
sin θ = = = − 21 , θ = ωt.
ξm 25
Possible angles:
7π 11π
θ= , .
6 6
We must decide which one applies. The emf is “increasing in magnitude” (becoming
more negative), which means
dE dE
< 0, = ξm ω cos θ.
dt dt
So cos θ < 0. This corresponds to θ = 7π/6. Now compute the current:
√
i(t) = Im cos θ = (0.0391)(− 2
3
) A.

i(t) ≈ −0.0339 A.
i = −33.9 mA
Final Results:

(a) Imax = 39.1 mA,

(b) E = 0 V,
(c) i = −33.9 mA.
Analytic interpretation:

1. The capacitor current leads the voltage by 90◦ .

2. When current is maximum, the capacitor voltage is zero.

3. At a given emf value, there are two possible phase positions, but the sign of
cos θ (from whether emf is increasing or decreasing) determines the physically cor-
rect solution.

Problem 44
An ac generator with emf amplitude Cm = 220 V and operating at frequency 400
Hz causes oscillations in a series RLC circuit having R = 220Ω, L = 150mH, and
C = 24.0µ F. Find (a) the capacitive reactance XC . (b) the impedance Z, and
(c) the current amplitude I. A second capacitor of the same capacitance is then
connected in series with the other components. Determine whether the values of (d)
XC (e) Z, and (f) I increase, decrease, or remain the same.

Answer:

Given:

Em = 220 V, f = 400 Hz, R = 220 Ω, L = 150 mH = 0.150 H

C = 24.0 µF = 24.0 × 10−6 F, ω = 2πf = 2π(400) = 800π ≈ 2.513 × 103 rad/s.

(a) Capacitive reactance XC .

1 1
XC = = ≈ 1.66 × 101 Ω = 16.6 Ω .
ωC (2.513 × 103 )(24.0 × 10−6 )

Useful: Inductive reactance.

XL = ωL = (2.513 × 103 )(0.150) ≈ 377 Ω .

(b) Impedance Z of a series RLC. For a series circuit,

p p
Z = R2 + (XL − XC )2 = (220)2 + (377 − 16.6)2 ≈ 4.22 × 102 Ω (422 Ω) .

(c) Current amplitude I.

Em 220
I= = ≈ 5.21 × 10−1 A (0.521 A) .
Z 422
Now add a second capacitor C in series with the first. Two equal capacitors
in series give
C
Ceq = .
2
(d) New XC .
1 1  1 
XC′ = = =2 = 2XC .
ωCeq ω(C/2) | ωC
{z }
XC

Hence XC increases (doubles). Numerically, XC′ ≈ 33.2 Ω.

(e) Effect on Z.
q q
2
′ ′ 2
Z = R + (XL − XC ) = R2 + XL − 2XC .
2

Since XC′ > XC , the difference |XL −XC′ | is smaller than |XL −XC | (here XL ≫ XC ).
Therefore Z ′ decreases. (Numerically, Z ′ ≈ 408 Ω.)

(f ) Effect on I.
Em
I′ = .
Z′
With Z ′ smaller, I ′ increases. (Numerically, I ′ ≈ 0.539 A.)

Summary:

(a) XC = 16.6 Ω, (b) Z ≈ 422 Ω, (c) I ≈ 0.521 A,

(d) XC increases (doubles), (e) Z decreases, (f ) I increases.