A current carrying solenoid is placed vertically and a particle of mass m with charge Q is released from rest. The particle moves along the axis of solenoid. If g is acceleration due to gravity then the acceleration (a) of the charged particle will satisfy:
A
0<a<g
B
a>g
C
a=0
D
a=g
Answer
Correct answer:D
Step-by-step solution
Standard Method
Given: A current carrying solenoid is placed vertically. A particle of mass m and charge Q is released from rest and moves along the axis of the solenoid.
Find: The acceleration a of the charged particle.
The magnetic force on a charged particle is
Fm=Q(v×B)
Inside a long solenoid, the magnetic field B is along the axis of the solenoid. Since the solenoid is vertical, B is vertical.
Initially, the particle is released from rest, so v=0. Therefore,
Fm=Q(0×B)=0
As the particle starts moving, its velocity remains along the axis of the solenoid, so v is parallel or anti-parallel to B.
Hence, the magnitude of magnetic force is
Fm=∣Q∣vBsinθ
Here θ=0∘ or 180∘, so
sinθ=0
Therefore,
Fm=0
So the only force acting on the particle is gravitational force:
Fg=mg
Using Newton's second law,
Fnet=ma=mg
Thus,
a=g
Therefore, the acceleration of the charged particle is equal to g, so the correct option is D.
Common mistakes
Assuming a magnetic field always exerts a force on a charged particle. This is wrong because magnetic force acts only when the velocity has a component perpendicular to the field. Here the motion is along the field, so use Fm=Q(v×B) and note that it is zero.
Thinking that once the particle starts moving, the magnetic force will appear automatically. This is wrong because the velocity remains along the axis of the solenoid, parallel to B. Always check the angle between v and B before applying ∣Q∣vB.
Treating the magnetic force as if it can oppose gravity in this situation. This is incorrect because magnetic force is perpendicular to both velocity and field, and here that perpendicular component is absent. Therefore the net force remains only mg downward.
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