Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2025 / ib / Paper 2 / 16B / Solution

Taking curls givesBoth have zero divergence and curl, so they satisfy the static vacuum equations. Their upward fluxes through the loop areFor clockwise current $I$, the net force is zero in $B_1$, while in $B_2$

Put $K=2\pi b_2{r}^2$. Motion in $B_1$ changes no flux, so no current is induced and $z=z_0-g{t}^2/2$. In $B_2$, using counterclockwise current as positive,ThusWith $\Gamma =K^2/R$, the velocity tends to $-mg/\Gamma$ andAt terminal speed, $I^{2}R=mg|\dot{z}|$, so Joule loss equals gravitational-energy loss. For $R=0$, 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).