Why Does Magnetic Force Not Alter the Speed of a Charged Particle?

Thread starter tin llenaresas
Start date Sep 18, 2005
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SUMMARY

The magnetic force does not alter the speed of a charged particle because it acts perpendicular to the particle's velocity, as described by the equation F = q(v × B). This perpendicular nature of the force means that it only changes the direction of the particle's motion without doing any work on it. Consequently, the magnitude of the velocity remains constant while the particle moves along a curved path.

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Sep 18, 2005

tin llenaresas

why is the magnitude of velocity of a charged particle not affected by magnetic force? :bugeye:

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Sep 18, 2005

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Homework Helper

The magnetic force always acts in a direction perpendicular to the velocity, sine F=q(vXB), so it only changes the direction of motion, not the speed. This also means it does no work on the particle.