A Physics major is struck by an ingenious thought. If a charge moving across a B

Question

A Physics major is struck by an ingenious thought. If a charge moving across a B field produces a perpendicular force, then he can use this to fly. All he has to do is run from West to East carrying a large charge and the Earth’s magnetic field will lift him off the ground. If the mass of a Physics student is 75.0 kg and the Earth’s magnetic field is 5.14 *10-5 Tesla, then calculate the charge that the student must carry when he runs down the road at 11 m/s (which is approximately the world record in the 100 m dash).

Explanation / Answer

Here ,

speed , v = 11 m/s

mass ,m = 75 Kg

magnetic field , B = 5.14 *10^-5 T

Balancing the forces

gravity force = magnetic force

m * g = B* v * q

75 * 9.8 = 11 * 5.14 *10^-5 * q

solving for q

q = 1.3 *10^6 C

the charge he should carry is 1.3 *10^6 C

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