Electron passing through a magnetic and an electric field

AI Thread Summary
An electron traveling at a velocity of 8.7 x 10^4 m/s enters a region with a uniform magnetic field of 0.80 T and an electric field. To avoid deflection, the electric field must counteract the magnetic force acting on the electron. Using the Lorentz force equation, it is determined that the electric field must point upward with a magnitude of 6.09 x 10^3 N/C. The calculations confirm that the forces are balanced, ensuring the electron remains in its y-position. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the direction of the electric field in relation to the coordinate axes.
Quadrat
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Homework Statement


An electron with velocity ##\vec{v}_0=8.7*10^4(m/s)## (in the î direction) passing through an area with a uniform magnetic field ##\vec{B}=0.80 T## (in the negative k̂ direction). There's also a uniform electric field in this area.

What is the magnitude and direction of this electric field if the electron travels through this area without being deflected? [see picture below]

electron.jpg


Homework Equations


The Lorentz force ##\vec{F}=q(\vec{E}+\vec{v}×\vec{B})##
Right Hand Rule

The Attempt at a Solution


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The speed is low in comparison to that of the speed of light and the Lorentz factor ##γ=1.000000042## so we won't deal with special relativity in this problem.

So first let's use the RHR to decide the direction of the magnetic force on the electron. The crossproduct ##(\vec{v}×\vec{B})## multiplied by the negative scalar ##q## (since we're dealing with an electron) gives the magnetic force to point downward. The electric field that we seek has to point upwards and be equal to the magnetic force to make the electron stay fixed in its y-position.

The two parts of the Lorentz force has to be equal.

##\vec{F}_B=\vec{F}_E## and since we're dealing with uniform fields and the magnetic field and the velocity are perpendicular to each other the ##sin(θ)## is just ##1##.

We also know the direction of all the fields (the direction ##E##-field follows from definition and the wanted result in this problem) so we can skip the vector signs and simply have:
##qvB=qE## and ##E=vB##.

So the electric field has to point upward in the picture and have a magnitude of:
##E=(8.7*10^4 (m/s))(0.80 T)=6.09*10^3 (N/C)##

Did I get it right and is my reasoning on point?
 
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Everything looks good to me except your result for multiplying (8.7 x 104)(0.80). Since you have coordinate axes given, it might be a little better to express the direction of the answer as "in the +y direction" or "in the ##\hat{j}## direction".
 
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TSny said:
Everything looks good to me except your result for multiplying (8.7 x 104)(0.80). Since you have coordinate axes given, it might be a little better to express the direction of the answer as "in the +y direction" or "in the ##\hat{j}## direction".

You're right, thanks! Thanks for taking your time to help me!
 
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