A charge q is distributed uniformly around a thin ring of radius r. The ring is rotating about an axis through its center and perpendicular to its plane, at an angular speed ω. (a) Show that the magnetic moment due to the rotating charge has a magnitude of μ=21qωr2 . (b) What is the direction of this magnetic moment if the charge is positive?
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Updated on : 2022-09-05
Solution
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(a) The period of rotation is T=2π/ω, and in this time all the charge passes any fixed point near the ring. The average current is i=q/T=qω/2π and the magnitude of the magnetic dipole moment is μ=iA=2πqωπr2=21qωr2 (b) We curl the fingers of our right hand in the direction of rotation. Since the charge is positive, the thumb points in the direction of the dipole moment. It is the same as the direction of the angular momentum vector of the ring.