# Electromagnetism - right hand rule

1. Jul 30, 2007

### avsj

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A proton travelling at a speed of 3.0 x 10^6 m/s travels through a magnetic field of strength 3.0 x 10^-3 T, making an angle of 45 degrees with the magnetic lines of force. What force acts on the proton?

2. Relevant equations

F = QvB

3. The attempt at a solution

I arrived at F = 1.44 x 10^-15N by simply plugging in. Then using the 45 degrees, I assume the force I found is the hypotenuse so I solve for an adjecnt using trig to get the correct answer of 1.0 x 10^-15 N but I dont understand this conceptually. Why is the force at 45 degrees weaker, and why am I solving it this way?

Thanks a lot

2. Jul 30, 2007

### meopemuk

The correct Lorentz force equation is

$$\mathbf{F} = Q \mathbf{v} \times \mathbf{B}$$

where $\mathbf{v} \times \mathbf{B}$ stands for the cross-product of two vectors. Since you know the angle $\alpha = 45$ degrees between $\mathbf{v}$ and $\mathbf{B}$, you can use standard formula for the length of the cross-product vector

$$| \mathbf{v} \times \mathbf{B}| = |\mathbf{v}| |\mathbf{B}| \sin \alpha$$

to obtain the magnitude of the force $|\mathbf{F}|$.

Eugene.

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