The solution at revision #20316 of , by Tete. This is not the current version.

Statement

11.2.16∗. In a uniform magnetic field, an electron moves around a circle of a certain radius. Does the radius of curvature of the electron's trajectory decrease or increase with a slow increase in the magnetic field induction?

Solution

For problem $11.2.16$
For problem

The magnetic force provides centripetal acceleration to the electron, so

where and are the charge and the mass of the electron, respectively. Thus in order for the electron to maintain the same circular orbit, we must have

The change in electron's speed is caused by induced electric field

as a result of changing magnetic flux. Thus,

(Note that the electric force on the electron is in the opposite direction to the electric field.) Therefore, the additional speed caused by induced electric field is not sufficient to keep the electron in the same orbit, and the radius of curvature of its trajectory will decrease.

Answer

Decrease