Using Right Hand Rule & Lorentz Force Law to Find Electric Field Direction

[grscott_2000]

I have a question regarding electrons in an electric and magnetic field and I need to apply Lorentz force law to find the direction in which the electric field is pointing.

Would someone be good enough to explain how the right hand rule applies in this situation? I think I might be getting confused with positive and negative charges and the effects they have on direction.

Also, does anyone know any resource on the net that give worked examples of Lorentz and the right hand rule so that I can work through them and see what is happening?

Many thanks

 

[Doc Al]

Start here: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/magfor.html#c3"

You might find the sites I reference here helpful: https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=389039&postcount=8

 

[m2003]

I would be happy to provide an explanation of how the right hand rule and Lorentz force law can be used to determine the direction of an electric field.

First, it is important to understand that the Lorentz force law describes the force experienced by a charged particle (such as an electron) moving in an electric and magnetic field. This force is given by the equation F = q(E + v×B), where q is the charge of the particle, E is the electric field, v is the velocity of the particle, and B is the magnetic field.

Now, to use the right hand rule, you will need to visualize the direction of the electric and magnetic fields in relation to each other. The electric field is represented by a vector pointing in the direction of the force that would be experienced by a positive charge placed in the field. The magnetic field is represented by a vector pointing in the direction of the force that would be experienced by a moving positive charge (i.e. the direction of the magnetic force).

To use the right hand rule, you will need to point your index finger in the direction of the velocity of the charged particle (e.g. an electron). Then, point your middle finger in the direction of the magnetic field. Your thumb will then point in the direction of the resulting force experienced by the particle, which is in the same direction as the electric field.

In terms of positive and negative charges, the direction of the electric field is always defined as the direction of the force experienced by a positive charge. So if you have a negative charge, the direction of the electric field will be opposite to the direction of the force experienced by the positive charge.

As for resources to help with understanding and practicing the use of the right hand rule and Lorentz force law, there are many online tutorials and videos available. Some useful resources include Khan Academy, Physics Classroom, and HyperPhysics. Additionally, many textbooks on electromagnetism will have worked examples and practice problems to help solidify your understanding.

I hope this explanation helps to clarify the use of the right hand rule and Lorentz force law in determining the direction of an electric field. It is a fundamental concept in electromagnetism and is crucial for understanding the behavior of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.