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skibum143
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Homework Statement
An electron, moving west, enters a magnetic field of a certain strength. Because of this field the electron curves upward. What is the direction of the magnetic field?
Homework Equations
Right Hand Rule
The Attempt at a Solution
I don't understand what the question means by the electron curving "upward" - does that mean curves north, or curves out of the page?
If you start with west velocity (fingers) and want to end up with a force directed north, your magnetic field would go out of the page (then the thumb would point up). But the answer claims it is "magnetic field is towards the north". How can this be true? The magnetic field and the force can't be in the same direction? And if the magnetic field is north, and the velocity is west, the force would push the electron into the page, which since it is negative would really be out of the page. So, I guess when it says the electron curves upward, they actually mean out of the page?
Thanks!