HW7 A Solutions
HW7 A Solutions
HW7 A Solutions
For the case of Fig(a), the field in the filament is E. The circuit satisfies the loop equation: = E L and the electron current is
i.
Now consider the circuit of Fig(b). Define
bulb, E2L
be the electric field in the lower-left
(Ia) E1 = E2L
(IIa) E2L
> E2R
(IIIa) E2L
+ E2R
= E1
(IIIb) E2L
+ E2R
> E1
Explanation:
From Fig(b), the loop equations imply that
= E1 L and = E2L
L + E2R
L. This
ibattery = i1 + i2 = i +
i
3
= i
2
2
(IIIa) ibattery =
(IIIb) ibattery
2E2 L, so E2 =
. Compared to the top
2L
branch case the field is reduced by half, so the
corresponding current should also be reduced
i
and hence IIb is the correct
by half. i2 =
2
choice.
The thin wire is 55 cm long, and its diameter is 0.25 mm. The thick wire is 12 cm long,
and its diameter is 0.35 mm.
The emf of each flashlight battery is 1.4 V.
Determine the steady-state electric field inside each Nichrome wire. Remember that in
the steady state you must satisfy both the
current node rule and energy conservation.
These two principles give you two equations
for the two unknown fields.
Find the electric field in the thin wire first.
Correct answer: 4.58097 V/m.
Explanation:
Apply the loop rule. Call the thin wire 1
and the thick wire 2.
2 emf E1 L1 E2 L2 = 0
Apply the node rule.
t1 =
L1
v1
0.55 m
0.000412287 m/s
= 1334.02 s
For wire 2,
E2 =
v2 = uE2
5 m/s
= 9 10
(2.33723 V/m)
V/m
= 0.000210351 m/s
L2
t2 =
v2
0.12 m
=
0.000210351 m/s
= 570.476 s
t = t1 + t2
= 1334.02 s + 570.476 s
= 1904.5 s .
Explanation:
The potential difference is given by the loop
equation
L
c=
t
L
t =
c
0.67 m
=
3 108 m/s
= 2.23333 109 s .
Notice that this is much smaller than the
time interval for a mobile electron to travel
around the circuit.
007 (part 5 of 5) 10.0 points
There are about 7 1028 mobile electrons per
cubic meter in Nichrome. How many electrons
cross the junction between the two wires every
second?
Correct answer: 1.41667 1018 electrons/s.
(VC VD ) = 0.5 V
009 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points
If the element between C and D is a battery,
is the (+) end of the battery at C or at D?
1. D
2. There is no positive end.
3. C correct
Explanation:
The electron current is
Explanation:
The positive end of the battery is at C,
since point C is at a higher potential.
i1 = nA1 uE1
(0.00025 m)2
= (7 1028 m3 )
4
m/s
(4.58097 V/m)
9 105
V/m
= 1.41667 1018 electrons/s .
010
10.0 points
Cb
Loop
1
Db
Loop
2
1 is incorrect. Since the circuit is in a steadystate, current is the same everywhere in the
circuit. From I = |q|nAuE, since current is
constant and the wire is of uniform dimensions and composition, E must also be the
same throughout the wire.
2 is correct. E points from positive to negative by inspection, E must point to the
right at 3.
3 is incorrect. This would be true if the wire
were in static equilibrium, but since current
is flowing, it is not. The circuit is in a
steady-state, which should not be confused
with static equilibrium.
4 is incorrect. Electric fields point from positive to negative charges by inspection,
E must point to the right at 3.
5 is correct. Since the circuit is in a steadystate, I is constant. From I = |q|nAuE, E
must be the same everywhere since n, A,
and u are the same throughout the circuit.
6 is incorrect. Excess surface charge generates the electric field that drives the flow
of electrons. The net electric force on an
electron due to charges inside the wire is
zero.
7 is correct. Since current flows parallel to the
wire at every location and the direction of
current flow is determined by the direction
of the electric field, E must be parallel to
the wire at every location.
8 is correct. The battery is the source of
excess charge, and drives the transient process whereby a surface charge gradient is
built on the wire surface that ensures uniformity of the electric field throughout the
circuit.