A duck flying horizontally due north at 10.7 m/s passes over East Lansing, where the vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field is 4.09×10-5 T (pointing down, towards the Earth). The duck has a positive charge of 6.47×10-8 C. What is the magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the duck?

2.83×10⁻¹¹ N.

Explanation:

From the question,

Using

F = qvB Equation 1

Where F = magnetic force acting on the duck, q = charge of the duck, v = velocity of the duck, B = magnetic field of the duck.

Given: q = 6.47×10⁻⁸ C, B = 4.09×10⁻⁵ T, v = 10.7 m/s.

Substitute these values into equation 1

F = 6.47×10⁻⁸×4.09×10⁻⁵×10.7

F = 2.83×10⁻¹¹ N.

Hence the magnetic force acting on the duck is  2.83×10⁻¹¹ N.