Honey bees can acquire a small net charge on the order of 1 pC as they fly through the air and interact with plants. Estimate the magnetic force on a honey bee due to Earth's magnetic field as the bee flies near the ground from east to west.

F = 2.01*10^-16N -^k

Explanation:

In order to calculate the magnetic force perceived by the bee, you use the following formula:

           (1)

q: charge of the bee = 1pC = 1*10^-12 C

The average speed of a bee and the magnetic field of the earth are:

v = 6.70m/s

B = 30*10^-6 T

The bee is flying to the west (-^i). You consider that the magnetic field direction is to the north (^j). Then, the direction of the magnetic force is:

-^i X ^j = -^k

You replace the values of the parameters in the equation (1), in order to calculate the magnitude of the force:

The magnetic force perceived by the bee is 2.01*10^-16N in the -^k direction, that is, toward the ground