Force on electron in magnetic field greatest when _______.

Question

Force on electron in magnetic field greatest when _______.?  
A. Opposite field  
B. Same direction  
C. Perpendicular  
D. Always constant

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (C)Perpendicular. 
Rationale: The magnetic force acting on a moving charged particle is described by the Lorentz force relationship, which states that the magnetic force equals charge multiplied by speed multiplied by magnetic field strength multiplied by the sine of the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.In words, the magnetic force depends on the charge of the particle, how fast it is moving, the strength of the magnetic field, and how much of the particle’s velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field. The sine of the angle determines this perpendicular component.A) Opposite fieldWhen the electron moves opposite to the direction of the magnetic field, the angle between the velocity and the field is 180 degrees. The sine of 180 degrees is zero, so no magnetic force acts on the electron in this case.B) Same directionIf the electron moves in the same direction as the magnetic field, the angle is 0 degrees. Because the sine of 0 degrees is zero, the magnetic force is again zero, and there is no deflection.C) PerpendicularWhen the electron’s velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field, the angle is 90 degrees. At this angle, the sine of 90 degrees is one, which produces the maximum possible magnetic force. This is why charged particles moving perpendicular to a magnetic field experience the strongest deflection and often move in circular paths.D) Always constantThe magnetic force is not constant. It changes with the speed of the particle, the strength of the magnetic field, and the angle between the particle’s motion and the field direction.ConclusionBecause the magnetic force depends on the sine of the angle between velocity and the magnetic field and reaches its maximum value at 90 degrees, the force on an electron in a magnetic field is greatest when the electron moves perpendicular to the magnetic field.

Force on electron in magnetic field greatest when _______.

A
Opposite field

B
Same direction

C
Perpendicular

D
Always constant

The magnetic force acting on a moving charged particle is described by the Lorentz force relationship, which states that the magnetic force equals charge multiplied by speed multiplied by magnetic field strength multiplied by the sine of the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

Force on electron in magnetic field greatest when _______.

A Opposite field B Same direction C Perpendicular D Always constant

The magnetic force acting on a moving charged particle is described by the Lorentz force relationship, which states that the magnetic force equals charge multiplied by speed multiplied by magnetic field strength multiplied by the sine of the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
Opposite field

B
Same direction

C
Perpendicular

D
Always constant