The microwaves in a microwave oven are produced in a special tube called a magnetron. The electrons orbit the magnetic field at 2.4 GHz, and as they do so they emit 2.4 GHz electromagnetic waves. What is the strength of the magnetic field?

The magnetic field is 0.0857 T.

Explanation:

The electrons orbit the magnetic field with a centripetal force equal to

F =

also, the force on an electron in a magnetic field is gotten as

F = Bqv

equating this two equations give

= Bqv

mv/r = Bq

where m is the mass of the electron = 9.11 x 10^-31 kg

v is the the linear speed of the electron

B is the magnetic field on the electron

r is the radius of the orbital movement

q is the charge on an electron = 1.602 x 10^-19 C

but, the linear speed v = ωr

where ω is the angular speed of the electron

substituting into equation above, we have

mωr/r = Bq

which reduces to

mω = Bq

finally, w know that the angular speed is related to the frequency of the electron by

ω = 2πf

we then finally have

2mπf = Bq

where f is the frequency emitted by the electron = 2.4 GHz = 2.4 x 10^9 Hz

substituting values into the equation, we have

2 x 9.11 x 10^-31 x 3.142 x 2.4 x 10^9 = B x 1.602 x 10^-19

B = (1.3734 x 10^-20)/(1.602 x 10^-19) = 0.0857 T

= 85.7 mT