A uniform magnetic field of 200 T is directed vertically upward. The force on an electron q = -1.6 × 10^-19C) moving horizontally northward at 2.0 × 10⁶ m/s is approximately

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field is given by the equation:

F = qvBsinθ

where F is the force, q is the charge, v is the velocity, B is the magnetic field strength, and θ is the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.

In this problem, the electron is moving northward, which means the angle θ between its velocity and the vertical magnetic field is 90 degrees, so sinθ = 1. Plugging in the given values, we get:

F = (1.6 x 10^-19 C)(2.0 x 10^6 m/s)(200 T)(1) = 6.4 x 10^-11 N

The direction of the force is given by the right-hand rule, which says to point the thumb in the velocity direction, the fingers in the magnetic field direction, and the force will be perpendicular to both (out of the palm). In this case, the force is westward, so the answer is C: 6.4 x 10^-11 N, west.

A Uniform Magnetic Field of 200 T Is Directed Vertically