Direction of Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge?

In summary, magnetic force on a charge is the force exerted on a charged particle when it moves through a magnetic field. It can be calculated using the formula F = qvBsinθ, and the direction of the force is dependent on the charge of the particle. Increasing the strength of the magnetic field will increase the magnitude of the force, and this force is utilized in various technologies and plays a role in Earth's magnetic field.
  • #1
Peter G.
442
0
Hi,

So, applying the left hand rule I got a force into the page for the question attached. The markscheme, however, claims it is out of the paper.

Can anyone help me understand why?

Thanks!
 

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  • #2
If I remember correctly, the convention for flow of current would be the direction in which a positive charge would travel if placed at that point. So the field would be to the left and the current would be downwards leading to the force being into the paper.
 
  • #3
Yea, that's what I thought too! They must have forgotten they put an electron there...
 

1. What is magnetic force on a charge?

Magnetic force on a charge is the force exerted on a charged particle when it moves through a magnetic field. This force is perpendicular to both the velocity of the particle and the direction of the magnetic field.

2. How is the magnitude of magnetic force on a charge calculated?

The magnitude of magnetic force on a charge can be calculated using the formula F = qvBsinθ, where q is the charge of the particle, v is its velocity, B is the strength of the magnetic field, and θ is the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.

3. What happens to the direction of magnetic force on a charge if the charge is negative?

If the charge is negative, the direction of the magnetic force will be opposite to the direction of the force on a positive charge. This means that the force will be in the opposite direction to the direction of the velocity of the particle.

4. How does increasing the strength of a magnetic field affect the magnetic force on a charge?

Increasing the strength of a magnetic field will increase the magnitude of the magnetic force on a charge, as long as the other variables (charge, velocity, and angle) remain constant. This means that the charged particle will experience a stronger force and may change its path or speed as a result.

5. What are some real-world applications of magnetic force on a charge?

Magnetic force on a charge is used in many different technologies, such as electric motors, generators, particle accelerators, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. It is also responsible for the behavior of charged particles in Earth's magnetic field, which is crucial for compasses and navigation systems.

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