Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 34 - Electromagnetic Fields and Waves - Exercises and Problems - Page 1029: 2

Answer

a) In the negative $x$-direction. b) In the $y$-direction. c) In the positive $x$-direction.

Work Step by Step

According to the Galilean fields transformation equations, $$ \vec B_B=\vec B_A-\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2}\tag 1 $$ From the given graph, we can see that the direction of the magnetic field of frame A is in the positive $z$-direction while the electric field is in the positive $y$-direction. Hence, $B_A=B\;\hat k$ and $E_A=E\;\hat j$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ From (1), to have $B_B\gt B_A$, $$\vec B_B-\vec B_A=-\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2}$$ So, we need to make $\vec B_B-\vec B_A\gt 0$, and hence, $-\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2}\gt 0$. This means that $(\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A)$ must be in the negative $z$-direction. But we know that $E_A$ is in the positive $y$-direction, so $v_{BA}$ must be in the negative $x$-direction. Therefore the rocket is, in this case, moving to the left in the negative $x$-direction. $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ From (1), to have $B_B=B_A$, $$\vec B_B-\vec B_A=-\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2}=0$$ So, we need to make $\vec B_B-\vec B_A= 0$, and hence, $-\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2}=0$. This means that $(\vec v_{BA}$ and $ \vec E_A)$ must be in the same direction. But we know that $E_A$ is in the positive $y$-direction, so $v_{BA}$ must be in the negative or positive $y$-direction. Therefore the rocket is, in this case, moving upward or downward in the $y$-direction. $$\color{blue}{\bf [c]}$$ From (1), to have $B_B\lt B_A$, $$\vec B_B-\vec B_A= -\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2} $$ So, we need to make $\vec B_B-\vec B_A\lt 0$, and hence, $-\dfrac{\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A}{c^2}\lt 0$. This means that $(\vec v_{BA}\times \vec E_A)$ must be in the positive $z$-direction. But we know that $E_A$ is in the positive $y$-direction, so $v_{BA}$ must be in the positive $x$-direction. Therefore the rocket is, in this case, moving to the right in the positive $x$-direction.
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