next up previous
Next: Relativistic Rocket   [10 marks] Up: Science 1 Physics Final Exam, April 1999 Previous: Linear Quadrupole   [12 marks]

Falling Bar   [12 marks]


\begin{figure}
\begin{center}
\epsfysize 2.25in
\epsfbox{PS/fall_bar.ps}
\end{center}\end{figure}

A horizontal bar of mass m is free to slide without friction down the vertical rails of a conducting frame, as shown. The combined resistance of the bar and the frame is negligible compared to R, the resistance placed in series with this circuit. What is the terminal speed of the bar as it falls under the influence of gravity (at the surface of the Earth) through a uniform horizontal magnetic field $\vec{\mbox{\boldmath$B$\unboldmath }}$ directed perpendicular to the plane of the frame? (Give your answer in terms of m, B, $\ell$, R, $g_\circ$ and other fundamental constants.)