# Electron in a Magnetic Field

jegues

## Homework Statement

An electron with speed of $$1o^{6} m/s$$ enters a $$6mT$$
uniform magnetic field that is perpendicular to the velocity of the electron. What is one possible time point after the electron entered the magnetic field that the electron will move along the opposite direction from its final velocity?

## The Attempt at a Solution

Since the velocity of the electron and the magnetic field are perpendicular,

$$F_{B} = qv_{o}B = ma$$

So,

$$a = \frac{qv_{o}B}{m}$$

But,

$$v_{f} = 0 = v_{o} + at$$

So,

$$t = \frac{-m}{qB}$$

Where am I going wrong?

Homework Helper
Gold Member
It's extremely important to keep track of the direction of the force. Since the magnetic force is always perpendicular to the velocity, it does not change the speed of the electron. You should try to visualize the path of the electron and rethink the question.

jegues
It should pull the electron into a circular path, correct ?

jegues
Bump, still trying to figure this one out, can I get another hint?

Homework Helper
Gold Member
Yes, it will be a circular path. You know the speed of the electron and can calculate the force. Can you figure out the radius of the orbit?

jegues
Yes, it will be a circular path. You know the speed of the electron and can calculate the force. Can you figure out the radius of the orbit?

$$F_{B} = qv \times B$$

So,

$$qv \times B = \frac{mv^{2}}{r}$$

$$r = \frac{mv^{2}}{qvBcos\theta}$$

Is theta changing though? Because as the force starts to push the electron down into a circular path the angle between v and B must be different, correct?

Homework Helper
Gold Member
You're told that $$\vec{v}$$ and $$\vec{B}$$ are perpendicular, so you might want to rethink how you computed the cross product. You should probably draw a diagram to see the relative directions of $$\vec{v}$$, $$\vec{B}$$ and $$\vec{F}$$.

jegues
You're told that $$\vec{v}$$ and $$\vec{B}$$ are perpendicular, so you might want to rethink how you computed the cross product. You should probably draw a diagram to see the relative directions of $$\vec{v}$$, $$\vec{B}$$ and $$\vec{F}$$.

Whoops, I thought they would no longer be perpendicular once the electron started moving in a circular path but thats not true.

So, $$\theta = 0^{o}$$

Therefore,

$$r = \frac{mv^{2}}{qvB} = \frac{mv}{qB}$$