The Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field

Consider the case in which a particle has a velocity that is perpendicular to a uniform magnetic
field. As shown in the figure below, the magnetic force serves to move the particle in a circular
path.

Note that with the magnetic field pointing into the paper (x's represent B into the page) and with
the velocity vat each position shown, RHR-1 predicts the force F at each point to be directed in
toward the center of a circle of radius r. That is, the magnetic force always remains perpendicular
to the velocity and is directed toward the center of the circular path shown. The radius of the
circular path is obtained by equating the magnetic force to the centripetal force.

We can therefore write – Equation 2.0

𝒎𝒗𝟐 𝒎𝒗
(𝐹𝑪 = = |𝒒|𝒗𝑩 = 𝒓 = |𝒒|𝑩
𝒓

Example 2.0

In a magnetic field of B = 0.75 T, for what path radius will an electron circulate at a speed of 3.0
x 107 m/s? What will its kinetic energy be?

Use Equation 2.0 : r = 2.3x10-4 m

The Kinetic Energy of the electron is : ½ mv2 = 4.1x10-16 Joules

 The Force on a Current in a Magnetic Field

We have seen that a moving charge in a magnetic field experiences a magnetic force.
Since a current is nothing more than a stream of moving charges, it is natural to expect that a
current-carrying wire will experience a magnetic force when placed in a magnetic field. For a wire
of length L carrying a current I placed in a magnetic field B, the force exerted is F=ILB sinθ

where θ is the angle between the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic field.

Example 3.0

An electric power line carries a current of 1400 A in a location where the earth's magnetic field is
0.50 x 10-4 T. The line makes an angle of 75° with respect to the field. Determine the magnitude
of the magnetic force on a 120-m length of line.

Answer: 8.1 Newton

WILEY Pre-Lecture Videos

Pre Lecture Video: Section 21.3 The Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field
https://drbuc2jl8158i.cloudfront.net/e4/ss18_Cutnell_Physics_11e/video/prelecture/Section_21_3.html

Pre Lecture Video: Section 21.5 The Force on a Current in a Magnetic Field
https://drbuc2jl8158i.cloudfront.net/e4/ss18_Cutnell_Physics_11e/video/prelecture/Section_21_5.html