Physics 333 Problem Set #1 (Extra Practice)

Practice Question 1 - Magnetic Breaking

When you drop a magnet down a conductive tube the magnet experiences a braking
force (as shown in this video). The change in flux as the magnet falls induces a
current that in turn induces an opposing field that stops it from falling. The physics
here is critically important in generating electricity, which we’ll discuss in Module 3.
It’s also a critical part of magnetic braking systems and regenerative braking systems,
discussed a bit in Module 4.

When you drop the magnet, it accelerates until the magnetic force balances the force

of gravity. It then falls at a constant velocity. The magnetic force depends on the
resistivity of the metal tube ρ, the radius of the tube a, the width of the tube w, the
dipole moment of the magnet μ (which is effectively the strength of the magnet), the
vacuum permeability μ0, and the velocity v of the magnet.

I’ll start you out with the equation for the force

Google the units of the other variables and use dimensional analysis to fill in the
question marks. You want to end with units N, so start with that. For full marks,
comment on whether or not the equation makes sense. For instance, it makes sense
that a is on the bottom because if I take a → ∞ the tube is so big that the magnet
can’t interact with it, and there’s no force.
Practice Question 2 - The Ice Age

In the days of yore the world was covered in Ice. Unfortunately, your time machine
has malfunctioned and you’ve been cast into this cruel world. You’ve built a cabin,
shown below, where you’ll either fix your time machine, or live out your days…

During the Ice Ages the Earth was covered in ice. As a result, a much higher
percentage of solar power was reflected back out of Earth’s atmosphere without ever
warming the planet as compared to today.

a) Using the imperfect single layer model from Lesson 6, Calculate the effect this
change in albedo had on Earth’s surface temperature.

b) Is the change in albedo a positive feedback mechanism (in which the change
leads to more change) or a negative feedback mechanism (is which the change
tends to prevent further change). Explain.

c) Check your answer with the Greenhouse PhET simulation. What’s different
between your calculation and what the PhET might be taking into account?