Electron Force B-Field: Direction & Velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the direction of the force experienced by an electron moving in a magnetic field. The magnetic field is directed into the page, while the electron's velocity is to the left. Participants are exploring the implications of these directions on the resulting force.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are using the right-hand rule to determine the direction of the force, while also considering the negative charge of the electron. There are questions about the correct application of the right-hand rule and the orientation of the hands used in this context.

Discussion Status

There are differing interpretations of the force direction based on the application of the right-hand rule and the charge of the electron. Some participants are providing guidance on how to apply the rule correctly, while others are questioning the assumptions made regarding the electron's charge and the resulting force direction.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of the electron's negative charge on the force direction, which adds complexity to the application of the right-hand rule. There is also a light-hearted moment regarding the confusion over which hand is the right one.

UrbanXrisis
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B-Field is going into the page. An electron has a velocity to the left. Force is then downwards correct?
 
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No. The force is given by F = qV x B. Using the right-hand rule, and noting that the electron has a negative charge, I get that the force is up the page.
 
I forgot which hand is my right one. It's not the left one, right?

cookiemonster
 
My hands are faced down...B field into the page, means fingers curled, and if the thumb is pointing to the left, the the force is acting down.
 
UrbanXrisis said:
My hands are faced down...B field into the page, means fingers curled, and if the thumb is pointing to the left, the the force is acting down.

When you cross the velocity vector (pointing to the left) by the magnetic field vector (pointing into the page), your thumb ends up pointing down. But, as DocAl said, because we are looking at an electron, the value of the charge (q) is negative (q = -1.6*10^-19 C). The force is therefore pointing in the negative down direction or, as we say where I'm from, up.
 

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