A charged particle moves perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field. What is the path of the particle? (2021)
Practice Questions
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Q1
A charged particle moves perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field. What is the path of the particle? (2021)
Straight line
Circle
Ellipse
Parabola
A charged particle moving perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field will move in a circular path due to the magnetic force acting as a centripetal force.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: A charged particle moves perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field. What is the path of the particle? (2021)
Solution: A charged particle moving perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field will move in a circular path due to the magnetic force acting as a centripetal force.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that a charged particle is an object with an electric charge, like an electron or a proton.
Step 2: Recognize that a uniform magnetic field is a region where the magnetic force is the same in strength and direction at every point.
Step 3: Know that when a charged particle moves, it experiences a magnetic force if it is moving through a magnetic field.
Step 4: Remember that the direction of the magnetic force is always perpendicular (at a right angle) to both the direction of the particle's motion and the direction of the magnetic field.
Step 5: Realize that this perpendicular force causes the particle to change direction continuously, resulting in circular motion.
Step 6: Conclude that the path of the charged particle will be a circle because the magnetic force acts as a centripetal force, keeping the particle in circular motion.
