Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 28 - Magnetic Fields - Problems - Page 831: 34b

Answer

Speed does not change.

Work Step by Step

Let $q$ be the charge of the electron. Magnetic force on the electron = $q(\vec{v}\times \vec{B})$ Let in $dt$ time, infinitesimal displacement of electron is $\vec{v}dt$ Thus infinitesimal work done by magnetic field is $q(\vec{v}\times\vec{B})\cdot \vec{v}dt=q\vec{v}\cdot(\vec{v}\times \vec{B})dt=q(\vec{v}\times\vec{v})\cdot\vec{B}dt=0$ ( as $\vec{v}\times \vec{v}=\vec{0}$ ) We use here the property of the scalar product of vectors. As the infinitesimal work is zero, the overall work done by the magnetic field is zero. By the work-energy theorem, the kinetic energy ( $K$ )of the electron cannot change in a magnetic field. $K=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$ where $m$ is electron mass and $v$ is electron speed. As $K$ is unchanged and $m$ is a constant, that implies $v$ does change with time. Thus, the speed cannot change with time.
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