Question map
A charged particle moves through a magnetic field B with a velocity v. Which one of the following statements is true for the force (F) experienced by the particle?
Explanation
The force experienced by a charged particle moving through a magnetic field is governed by the Lorentz force law, expressed as F = qvB sinθ. In this equation, θ represents the angle between the particle's velocity vector (v) and the magnetic field vector (B). The magnitude of the force depends on the sine of this angle. When the particle moves parallel (θ = 0°) or anti-parallel (θ = 180°) to the magnetic field, sinθ is zero, resulting in no magnetic force. Conversely, the force reaches its maximum value when the particle moves perpendicular to the field (θ = 90°), as sin 90° equals 1. Experimental observations confirm that the displacement or force is highest when the current or charge movement is at right angles to the magnetic field direction [1].
Sources
- [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 12: Magnetic Effects of Electric Current > Activity 12.7 > p. 203