- #1
Number1Ballar
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Homework Statement
Consider the example of a positive charge q moving in the xy plane with velocity [tex]\hat{v}[/tex] = vcos([tex]\theta[/tex])[tex]\hat{x}[/tex] + vsin([tex]\theta[/tex])[tex]\hat{y}[/tex] (i.e., with magnitude v at angle [tex]\theta[/tex] with respect to the x-axis). If the local magnetic field is in the +z direction, what is the direction of the magnetic force acting on the particle?
Express the direction of the force in terms of [tex]\theta[/tex], as a linear combination of unit vectors, [tex]\hat{x}[/tex], [tex]\hat{y}[/tex], [tex]\hat{z}[/tex].
Homework Equations
Cross product.
[tex]\vec{C}[/tex] = [tex]\vec{A}[/tex] X [tex]\vec{B}[/tex] = (AxBy - AyBx)[tex]\hat{z}[/tex] + (AyBz - AzBy)[tex]\hat{x}[/tex] + (AzBx - AxBz)[tex]\hat{y}[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
I don't know what to plug in, and overall am just confused as to what the formula means.
Any explanation would be greatly appreciated!