Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2025/ib/paper-2/16b/solution

Taking curls gives
Both have zero divergence and curl, so they satisfy the static vacuum equations. Their upward fluxes through the loop are
For clockwise current , the net force is zero in , while in
Put . Motion in changes no flux, so no current is induced and . In , using counterclockwise current as positive,
Thus
With , the velocity tends to and
At terminal speed, , so Joule loss equals gravitational-energy loss. For , Ohm's quasistatic formula is singular: flux is conserved, persistent current stores magnetic energy, and ideal motion has no resistive terminal state (inductance must be retained).

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