PHY100H1 Lecture 10: Lecture 10

the Lorentz Force equation: d(m v)/dt = q[E(r) + v x B(r)]. using Euler's method or 4th order Runge Kutta provide solution to the Lorentz force equation so it can be applied numerically for programing use.

The ampullae of Lorenzini are special sensing organs called electroreceptors, forming long conductive jelly-filled canals on the heads of sharks and rays. These organs detect electric fields as weak as 500 nanovolts/m. Use the Lorentz equation to show that these electroreceptors can provide the shark with a "compass sense". How fast does the shark have to swim perpendicular to the earth's magnetic field (B=30 microteslas) in order to detect the earth's magnetic field with these organs?

The ampullae of Lorenzini are special sensing organs called electroreceptors, forming long conductive jelly-filled canals on the heads of sharks and rays. These organs detect electric fields as weak as 500 nanovolts/m. Use the Lorentz equation to show that these electroreceptors can provide the shark with a "compass sense". How fast does the shark have to swim perpendicular to the earth's magnetic field (B=30 microteslas) in order to detect the earth's magnetic field with these organs?