Particle movement in inhomogeneous magnetic field

[Dishsoap]

Homework Statement

Show that for the case of a general inhomogeneous magnetic field, $$\dot{\vec{v}}=\frac{e}{2mc} (\vec{v} \times \vec{B} - \vec{B} \times {v})$$

The attempt at a solution

I think I am oversimplifying things. I used that, for an electron in a magnetic field, $m \frac{d \vec{v}}{dt}=e \vec{v} \times \vec{B}$, and that $\vec{v} \times \vec{B} = - \vec{B} \times \vec{v}$

Doing this, I find that $RHS = \frac{1}{c} \dot{\vec{v}}$

 

[TSny]

The presence of $c$ in the equation is just due to the choice of units.

May I ask where this problem came from?

 

[Dishsoap]

The presence of $c$ in the equation is just due to the choice of units.

May I ask where this problem came from?

I figured as such, but units for what? B? v? e?

This problem was not out of a book but was just on a homework sheet, and I was unable to find it elsewhere.

 

[TSny]

I figured as such, but units for what? B? v? e?

Compare the Gaussian system of units with the SI units here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaussian_units#Maxwell.27s_equations
The units for B, v, and e are all different in the two systems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaussian_units#Electromagnetic_unit_names

This problem was not out of a book but was just on a homework sheet, and I was unable to find it elsewhere.

OK. It seems odd since, as you say, you can always just rewrite $\bf{B} \times \bf{v}$ as $-\bf{v} \times \bf{B}$ .