How Do You Determine Magnetic Force Direction When Fields Aren't Perpendicular?

[member 392791]

Hello, I know about the right hand rule, but I get confused when velocity and magnetic field are not perpendicular to each other, then how do I determine the direction of the magnetic force? Can I not use the right hand rule?

 

[Meir Achuz]

You can still use the RH rule for direction. The magnitude just gets multiplied by sin(theta).

 

[technician]

It is the component of the velocity at right angles to the field that experienses the force.
The component parallel to the field does not experience any force