A charged particle enters a magnetic field perpendicularly. What is the path it

Practice Questions

Q1
A charged particle enters a magnetic field perpendicularly. What is the path it will follow?
  1. Straight line
  2. Circular path
  3. Elliptical path
  4. Parabolic path

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

A charged particle enters a magnetic field perpendicularly. What is the path it will follow?
  • Step 1: Understand that a charged particle is a particle that has an electric charge, like an electron or proton.
  • Step 2: Know that a magnetic field is an area around a magnet where magnetic forces can be felt.
  • Step 3: When the charged particle enters the magnetic field perpendicularly, it means it is coming in at a right angle to the direction of the magnetic field lines.
  • Step 4: The magnetic field exerts a force on the charged particle. This force is always perpendicular to the direction of the particle's motion.
  • Step 5: Because the magnetic force is perpendicular to the motion, it changes the direction of the particle but not its speed.
  • Step 6: This change in direction causes the particle to move in a circular path.
  • Step 7: The magnetic force acts as a centripetal force, which keeps the particle moving in a circle.
  • Magnetic Force – The force exerted on a charged particle moving through a magnetic field, which is perpendicular to the velocity of the particle.
  • Centripetal Force – The net force required to keep an object moving in a circular path, which in this case is provided by the magnetic force.
  • Circular Motion – The motion of an object in a circular path, which occurs when a charged particle experiences a constant magnetic force perpendicular to its velocity.
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