Quantrex Quantrex AcademyJEE · NEET · NDA PYQs with solutions Open app
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Magnetic Field

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Magnetic Field

Consider two particles, each of mass m , positioned at a separation...

Consider two particles, each of mass mm, positioned at a separation distance dd inside a uniform magnetic field BB. The particles possess opposite charges of equal magnitude qq. At an initial time t=0t = 0, they are projected directly towards one another, each travelling with a speed vv. Assume that the Coulomb interaction between the charges is turned off. Let vmv_m denote the maximum projection speed that allows the particles to avoid a collision. Suppose the particles are projected with a speed v=2vmv = 2 v_m and undergo a completely inelastic collision. How will the combined mass move following the collision?
Consider two particles, each of mass m , positioned at a separation distance d inside a uniform magnetic field B . The

Options

  1. AIt moves with a constant speed 2vm2 v_m along a straight line drawn upward in the plane of the figure through the point of collision.
  2. BIt moves in a circular path of radius dd with a constant speed vmv_m.
  3. CIt moves with a constant speed vmv_m along a straight line drawn upward in the plane of the figure through the point of collision.
  4. DIt comes to rest immediately at the point of collision.

Correct answer

C. It moves with a constant speed vmv_m along a straight line drawn upward in the plane of the figure through the point of collision.

Step-by-step solution

The magnetic force on a moving charge is given by F⃗=q(v⃗×B⃗)\vec{F} = q(\vec{v} \times \vec{B}). For the particle with charge qq moving with velocity vi^v\hat{i} in a magnetic field −Bk^-B\hat{k}, the force is qvBj^qvB\hat{j} (upwards). For the particle with charge −q-q moving with velocity −vi^-v\hat{i}, the force is also qvBj^qvB\hat{j} (upwards). Thus, both particles move in circular paths curving upwards.

The radius of the circular path is R=mvqBR = \dfrac{mv}{qB}.

To just avoid collision, the two circular paths must be tangent to each other. Since the initial separation is dd, the sum of their radii must be equal to dd.

2Rm=d⇒Rm=d22R_m = d \Rightarrow R_m = \dfrac{d}{2}

The maximum speed to avoid collision is vm=qBRmm=qBd2mv_m = \dfrac{qBR_m}{m} = \dfrac{qBd}{2m}.

When the particles are projected with speed v=2vmv = 2v_m, the new radius of their paths is R=m(2vm)qB=2Rm=dR = \dfrac{m(2v_m)}{qB} = 2R_m = d.

Let the collision occur after the velocity vectors have rotated by an angle θ\theta. The horizontal distance covered by each particle is d2\dfrac{d}{2}.

From the geometry of the circular path, the horizontal displacement is Rsin⁡θR \sin\theta.

Rsin⁡θ=d2R \sin\theta = \dfrac{d}{2}

Substituting R=dR = d, we get sin⁡θ=12⇒θ=30∘\sin\theta = \dfrac{1}{2} \Rightarrow \theta = 30^{\circ}.

The velocities of the particles just before the collision are:

v⃗1=vcos⁡(30∘)i^+vsin⁡(30∘)j^\vec{v}_1 = v \cos(30^{\circ})\hat{i} + v \sin(30^{\circ})\hat{j}

v⃗2=−vcos⁡(30∘)i^+vsin⁡(30∘)j^\vec{v}_2 = -v \cos(30^{\circ})\hat{i} + v \sin(30^{\circ})\hat{j}

Since the collision is completely inelastic, the particles stick together. By conservation of linear momentum:

mv⃗1+mv⃗2=(2m)v⃗fm\vec{v}_1 + m\vec{v}_2 = (2m)\vec{v}_f

v⃗f=v⃗1+v⃗22=vsin⁡(30∘)j^=v2j^\vec{v}_f = \dfrac{\vec{v}_1 + \vec{v}_2}{2} = v \sin(30^{\circ})\hat{j} = \dfrac{v}{2}\hat{j}

Given v=2vmv = 2v_m, the final velocity is v⃗f=vmj^\vec{v}_f = v_m\hat{j}.

The combined mass has a net charge of q+(−q)=0q + (-q) = 0. Therefore, it experiences no magnetic force and moves with a constant speed vmv_m along a straight line drawn upward.

Answer: It moves with a constant speed vmv_m along a straight line drawn upward in the plane of the figure through the point of collision.
Practice Magnetic Field on Quantrex Academy →

More from Magnetic Field

An electron is projected horizontally with a kinetic energy of 10 keV . A magnetic field… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]In a region where a 1.0 T magnetic field points from south to north, an alpha particle is… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]A particle carrying a charge of 1.0 × 10^ -9 C travels in the x – y plane. A magnetic… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]An experimenter's logbook contains the following entry: "a charged particle is projected… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]A 10 g bullet carrying a charge of 4.00 is fired horizontally at a speed of 270 m s^ -1 .… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]A proton released from rest in a room experiences an initial acceleration a_0 directed… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]A 10 -cm long portion of a straight wire carrying a 10 A current is situated in a 0.1 T… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]An electron is projected horizontally with a kinetic energy of 10 keV . A magnetic field… Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] Full Magnetic Field list All Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] PYQs