Assume that an electron of mass m and charge magnitude e moves in a circular orbit of radius r about a nucleus. A uniform magnetic field B is then established perpendicular to the plane of the orbit. Assuming also that the radius of the orbit does not change and that the change in the speed of the electron due to field B is small, find an expression for the change in the orbital magnetic dipole moment of the electron due to the field.
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Updated on : 2022-09-05
Solution
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An electric field with circular field lines is induced as the magnetic field is turned on. Suppose the magnetic field increases linearly from zero to B in time t. According to Eq. 31-27, the magnitude of the electric field at the orbit is given by
E=(2r)dtdB=(2r)tB,
where r is the radius of the orbit. The induced electric field is tangent to the orbit and changes the speed of the electron, the change in speed being given by
Δv=at=meeEt=(mee)(2r)(tB)t=2meerB
The average current associated with the circulating electron is i=ev/2πr and the dipole moment is