What is the Correct Angle for the Net Magnetic Force?

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SUMMARY

The net magnetic force acting on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field was calculated, yielding a magnitude of 9.77 x 10-3 N. The force components were determined as Fx = 0.003708 N and Fy = 0.009034 N. The angle calculation for the net force with respect to the +x axis was incorrectly approached; the correct method involves understanding the right-hand rule and the vector product, which indicates that the force is perpendicular to both the velocity and magnetic field vectors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic fields and forces, specifically the Lorentz force law.
  • Familiarity with vector mathematics and trigonometric functions.
  • Knowledge of the right-hand rule for determining vector directions.
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism, particularly regarding charged particles in magnetic fields.
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  • Study the Lorentz force law in detail, focusing on its applications in electromagnetism.
  • Learn about the right-hand rule and its implications for vector cross products.
  • Explore vector mathematics, particularly in the context of physics problems involving forces and angles.
  • Investigate the behavior of charged particles in magnetic fields, including circular motion and force calculations.
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One component of a magnetic field has a magnitude of 0.0266 T and points along the +x axis, while the other component has a magnitude of 0.0648 T and points along the -y axis. A particle carrying a charge of +2.96 × 10-5 C is moving along the +z axis at a speed of 4.71 × 103 m/s. (a) Find the magnitude of the net magnetic force that acts on the particle. (b) Determine the angle that the net force makes with respect to the +x axis.


I got the correct answer for part A, which is simply 9.77x10-3 N.
Fx ~ 0.003708 N
Fy ~ 0.009034 N
F = sqrt(Fx^2 + Fy^2)
F = 9.77x10-3 N

However, I am not getting the correct answer for B.

I thought it was simply:
theta = InverseTangent(Fy/Fx) = 67.68 deg but this wasn't correct.

Then I thought I had to add 90 to get theta = 67.68 + 90 = 157.68 deg since F is perpendicular to both field (B) and velocity (V), but this was not correct either. What am I doing incorrectly? Thank you!
 
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According to the vector product (hope you know this version) the force on the positive charge
is perpendicular to both the velocity vector and the magnetic field vector:

\vec{F} = q \vec{v} \times \vec{B}

, that is you turn the velocity vector towards the magnetic field vector. The force vector points in the direction in which a righthand screw advances due to this turning. This means \vec{F} will be perpendicular to the plane containing the two vectors \vec{v} and \vec{B}. Or you may know the right-hand rule for determining the direction of \vec{F}.
 

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