- Determine the direction of the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field.
- Recall and use F = BQv sin θ.
- Students will be able to define and explain key terms related to magnetic fields and forces on moving charges in English.
- Students will be able to describe how to determine the direction of the magnetic force using Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule.
- Students will be able to apply the formula F = BQv sin θ to solve problems, explaining their reasoning and calculations in English.
- Students will be able to discuss the factors affecting the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force on a moving charge.
Let’s familiarize ourselves with the key terms for this topic. Төмендегі кестеде осы тақырып бойынша негізгі терминдер берілген.
English Term | Russian Translation (Перевод на русский) | Kazakh Translation (Қазақша аудармасы) |
---|---|---|
Magnetic Field (B) | Магнитное поле (B) | Магнит өрісі (B) |
Magnetic Force (FB) | Магнитная сила (FB) (Сила Лоренца) | Магниттік күш (FB) (Лоренц күші) |
Charge (Q or q) | Заряд (Q или q) | Заряд (Q немесе q) |
Velocity (v) | Скорость (v) | Жылдамдық (v) |
Magnetic Flux Density (B) | Магнитная индукция (B) | Магниттік ағынның тығыздығы (B) (Магнит индукциясы) |
Tesla (T) | Тесла (Тл) | Тесла (Тл) |
Angle (θ) | Угол (θ) | Бұрыш (θ) |
Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule | Правило левой руки Флеминга | Флемингтің сол қол ережесі |
Vector Product (Cross Product) | Векторное произведение | Векторлық көбейтінді |
To help you memorize these terms, you can use flashcards. Check out this set on Quizlet (or create your own!):
Search for Magnetic Force on Moving Charge Flashcards on Quizlet
Alternatively, create physical flashcards for active recall.
Understand the definitions of key concepts. Төменде негізгі ұғымдардың анықтамалары берілген.
- Magnetic Field (B): A region of space where a magnetic force can be detected. Magnetic fields are produced by moving electric charges or by magnetic materials. It is a vector quantity, often represented by field lines.
- Magnetic Force (FB): The force
- Magnetic Flux Density (B): A measure of the strength of a magnetic field at a given point, defined as the force per unit current per unit length on a wire carrying current perpendicular to the field. Also known as magnetic field strength or magnetic induction. Measured in Tesla (T).
- Tesla (T): The SI unit of magnetic flux density. One tesla is defined as the magnetic flux density that exerts a force of one newton on one coulomb of charge moving at one meter per second perpendicular to the field (1 T = 1 N A-1 m-1).
- Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule: A mnemonic used to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a moving charge (or a current-carrying conductor) in a magnetic field. If the thumb, first finger, and second finger of the left hand are held mutually perpendicular: the First finger points in the direction of the Field (B), the SeCond finger points in the direction of the Current (I) (or velocity ‘v’ of positive charge), and the ThuMb points in the direction of the Thrust (Force F).
When an electric charge moves through a magnetic field, it can experience a force. This phenomenon is fundamental to many applications, including electric motors and particle accelerators.
1. The Origin of the Magnetic Force
A magnetic field is a region where magnetic forces can be
When another charge ‘q’ moves with a velocity ‘v’ through this magnetic field ‘B’, it experiences a force FB. This force is often called the Lorentz force (specifically, the magnetic part of it).
Key characteristics of this magnetic force:
- The force is zero if the charge is stationary (v=0).
- The force is zero if the charge moves parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetic field lines.
- The force is maximum when the charge moves perpendicular to the magnetic field lines.
- The force is always perpendicular to both the velocity ‘v’ of the charge and the magnetic field ‘B’. This means the magnetic force does no work on the charge, as the force is perpendicular to the displacement. It changes the direction of motion but not the speed (or kinetic energy) of the charge.
2. Determining the Direction of the Force: Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule
The direction of the magnetic force FB on a moving charge can be determined using Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule.
[Image of Правило левой руки Флеминга]
- Hold your left hand so that your thumb, first finger, and second finger are mutually perpendicular (at 90° to each other).
- Point your First finger in the direction of the magnetic Field (B). (From North to South pole).
- Point your Second finger in the direction of the conventional Current (I).
- For a positive charge moving with velocity ‘v’, the direction of conventional current is the same as the direction of ‘v’.
- For a negative charge (like an electron) moving with velocity ‘v’, the direction of conventional current is opposite to the direction of ‘v’.
- Your ThuMb will then point in the direction of the Thrust or magnetic Force (FB) on the charge.
3. Magnitude of the Magnetic Force: F = BQv sin θ
The
of the magnetic force FB acting on a charge Q moving with velocity v in a magnetic field of flux density B is given by the formula:F = B |Q| v sin θ
Where:
- F is the magnitude of the magnetic force, measured in Newtons (N).
- B is the magnitude of the magnetic flux density (or magnetic field strength), measured in Tesla (T).
- |Q| is the magnitude of the electric charge, measured in Coulombs (C). We use the absolute value because Q in the formula refers to the magnitude of charge; the direction of force for negative charges is handled by considering the current direction in Fleming’s rule or by vector cross product rules.
- v is the speed of the charge, measured in meters per second (m s-1).
- θ (theta) is the angle between the direction of the velocity vector v and the direction of the magnetic field vector B. It ranges from 0° to 180°.
Analyzing the ‘sin θ’ term:
- If θ = 0° or θ = 180°: This means the charge is moving parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetic field lines. In this case, sin 0° = 0 and sin 180° = 0. Therefore, F = 0. No magnetic force acts on a charge moving along the field lines.
- If θ = 90°: This means the charge is moving perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. In this case, sin 90° = 1. The force is maximum: Fmax = B |Q| v.
- For other angles, the force will be between 0 and Fmax.
This formula is a scalar representation of the magnitude of a vector product (cross product): F = Q(v × B).
Check Your Understanding / Өзіңді тексер:
- Easy: What happens to the magnetic force on a charged particle if it moves parallel to the magnetic field lines?
[/su_spoiler] - Medium: An electron (charge -1.6 x 10-19 C) moves at a speed of 2.0 x 106 m/s perpendicular to a magnetic field of flux density 0.50 T. Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic force on the electron.
[/su_spoiler] - Medium: A proton moves with velocity ‘v’ at an angle of 30° to a uniform magnetic field ‘B’. If the force experienced is ‘F’, what would be the force if the proton moved with the same speed ‘v’ but at an angle of 90° to the field ‘B’? Express your answer in terms of ‘F’.
[/su_spoiler] - Hard (Critical Thinking): An electron and a proton enter a uniform magnetic field with the same velocity, perpendicular to the field lines. Compare the magnitudes and initial directions of the magnetic forces acting on them. Will their paths in the field be the same? Explain.
[/su_spoiler]
Activity 1: Label the Diagram (Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule)
Draw a simple representation of a left hand showing the thumb, first finger, and second finger mutually perpendicular. Label what each represents according to Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule.
[Image of Схема для правила левой руки Флеминга с пустыми метками](Placeholder for students to draw and label, or for a diagram to be inserted)
[/su_spoiler]Activity 2: Complete the Sentences
- The force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field is maximum when the angle between velocity and field is _________ degrees.
- If a charge moves parallel to magnetic field lines, the magnetic force on it is _________.
- The unit of magnetic flux density is the _________.
- Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule helps determine the _________ of the magnetic force.
- The magnetic force changes the _________ of a charged particle but not its _________.
Watch this video for a visual explanation of the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field:
This video explains the concept and Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule.
Further viewing:
Problem 1: A proton (charge +1.6 x 10-19 C) moves with a speed of 5.0 x 105 m/s at an angle of 60° to a uniform magnetic field of flux density 0.20 T. Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic force on the proton.
[Image of Протон, движущийся под углом к магнитному полю]
F = (0.20 T) * (1.6 x 10-19 C) * (5.0 x 105 m/s) * sin 60°
F ≈ (0.20) * (1.6 x 10-19) * (5.0 x 105) * (0.866)
F ≈ 1.386 x 10-14 N ≈ 1.4 x 10-14 N
Charge of proton, Q = +1.6 x 10-19 C
Speed, v = 5.0 x 105 m/s
Angle, θ = 60°
Magnetic flux density, B = 0.20 T
Formula:
The magnitude of the magnetic force is given by F = B |Q| v sin θ.
Calculation:
F = (0.20 T) * (1.6 x 10-19 C) * (5.0 x 105 m/s) * sin 60°
We know that sin 60° = √3 / 2 ≈ 0.866.
F = 0.20 * 1.6 x 10-19 * 5.0 x 105 * 0.866
F = (0.20 * 1.6 * 5.0 * 0.866) * (10-19 * 105) N
F = (1.3856) * (10-14) N
F ≈ 1.39 x 10-14 N (to three significant figures)
Or F ≈ 1.4 x 10-14 N (to two significant figures, matching B and v)
The magnitude of the magnetic force on the proton is approximately 1.4 x 10-14 N.
Problem 2: An electron experiences a magnetic force of 3.2 x 10-14 N when it moves at 4.0 x 106 m/s perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field.
a) Calculate the magnetic flux density of the field.
b) What would be the force if the electron moved at the same speed but at an angle of 45° to the field?
[Image of Электрон, движущийся перпендикулярно магнитному полю]
F = BQv sin θ => B = F / (Qv sin θ)
B = (3.2 x 10-14 N) / ((1.6 x 10-19 C) * (4.0 x 106 m/s) * 1) = 0.05 T
b) New angle θ’ = 45°, sin 45° ≈ 0.707.
F’ = BQv sin θ’ = (0.05 T) * (1.6 x 10-19 C) * (4.0 x 106 m/s) * sin 45°
F’ ≈ (3.2 x 10-14 N) * 0.707 ≈ 2.26 x 10-14 N
Magnetic force, F = 3.2 x 10-14 N
Speed, v = 4.0 x 106 m/s
Charge of electron, |Q| = 1.6 x 10-19 C
Angle (initially), θ = 90° (since it’s perpendicular, sin 90° = 1)
a) Calculate the magnetic flux density (B):
From F = B |Q| v sin θ, we can rearrange for B:
B = F / (|Q| v sin θ)
B = (3.2 x 10-14 N) / ((1.6 x 10-19 C) * (4.0 x 106 m/s) * sin 90°)
B = (3.2 x 10-14) / (1.6 x 10-19 * 4.0 x 106 * 1)
B = (3.2 x 10-14) / (6.4 x 10-13) T
B = 0.5 x 10-1 T = 0.05 T
The magnetic flux density of the field is 0.05 T.
b) Force if the angle is 45°:
New angle, θ’ = 45°. sin 45° = 1/√2 ≈ 0.7071.
The values of B, |Q|, and v remain the same.
F’ = B |Q| v sin θ’
F’ = (0.05 T) * (1.6 x 10-19 C) * (4.0 x 106 m/s) * sin 45°
F’ = (0.05 * 1.6 * 4.0 * 0.7071) * (10-19 * 106) N
F’ = (0.226272) * (10-13) N
F’ ≈ 2.26 x 10-14 N
The force on the electron would be approximately 2.26 x 10-14 N.
Explore magnetic forces interactively. While PhET doesn’t have a dedicated «Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge» sim for HTML5, you can use the principles from «Faraday’s Law» or «Generator» to understand fields, or use the older Java-based «Magnets and Electromagnets» if your system supports it for field visualization.
A good alternative is the «Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field» simulation from theophysics.com (this is an external link):
Simulation Link: Charged Particle in Magnetic Field Lab (The Physics Aviary)
Or embed if possible (check WordPress compatibility):
Tasks (using the suggested simulation or conceptualizing):
- Set up a positive charge moving into a magnetic field directed into the screen. Predict the direction of the force using Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule and then observe the particle’s path.
- How does changing the magnitude of the charge (Q) affect the force and the radius of the circular path (if it moves in a circle)?
- How does changing the velocity (v) of the charge affect the force and the radius of the circular path?
- How does changing the magnetic field strength (B) affect the force and the radius of the circular path?
- What happens if you change the charge to negative? How does its path compare to the positive charge?
Task: Magnetic Force Scenarios with LearningApps.org
In pairs or small groups:
- Consider the following scenarios for a charged particle moving in a uniform magnetic field:
- A proton enters a magnetic field directed out of the page, with velocity to the right.
- An electron enters a magnetic field directed to the left, with velocity upwards.
- A neutron enters a magnetic field directed downwards, with velocity into the page.
- A positive ion moves parallel to the magnetic field lines.
- For each scenario, determine:
a) The direction of the magnetic force (if any) using Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule.
b) Whether the magnitude of the force is zero, maximum, or somewhere in between (assuming non-zero B, Q, v for charged particles). - Create a short interactive quiz (e.g., matching pairs, multiple choice) on LearningApps.org based on these scenarios or similar ones. The quiz should test the understanding of force direction and conditions for zero/maximum force.
- Share your LearningApp with another group for them to solve.
Answer the following questions. Show all your working where calculations are required. (Charge of electron/proton = ±1.6 x 10-19 C)
- Analysis/Application: An alpha particle (charge +3.2 x 10-19 C, mass 6.64 x 10-27 kg) enters a uniform magnetic field of flux density 0.85 T with a velocity of 2.5 x 106 m/s at right angles to the field.
a) Calculate the magnitude of the force acting on the alpha particle.
b) Determine the radius of the circular path followed by the alpha particle in the field.
[/su_spoiler] - Analysis/Synthesis: A beam of electrons is accelerated through a potential difference of 500 V. The beam then enters a region of uniform magnetic field of flux density 2.0 mT, with the electrons moving perpendicular to the field. (Mass of electron = 9.11 x 10-31 kg).
a) Calculate the speed of the electrons as they enter the magnetic field. (Hint: Work done by electric field = change in kinetic energy, eV = 1/2mv2)
b) Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic force on each electron in the field.
c) Calculate the radius of the circular path of the electrons in the field.
[/su_spoiler] - Synthesis/Application: A charged particle q = +2.0 µC moves with velocity v = (2.0 x 103 i + 3.0 x 103 j) m/s in a uniform magnetic field B = (0.050 k) T.
a) Determine the vector magnetic force F acting on the particle. (Hint: Use F = q(v × B) and properties of unit vector cross products: i×k = —j, j×k = i).
b) Calculate the magnitude of this force.
[/su_spoiler] - Analysis/Evaluation: A velocity selector uses perpendicular electric and magnetic fields to select charged particles of a specific velocity. If the magnetic field is B and the electric field is E, derive an expression for the velocity ‘v’ of particles that pass through undeflected. Explain why particles with other velocities would be deflected.
[/su_spoiler] - Critical Thinking/Design: Describe how the path of a charged particle moving in a uniform magnetic field differs if its initial velocity vector has a component parallel to the magnetic field in addition to a component perpendicular to it. Sketch the resulting path.
[/su_spoiler]
- Save My Exams (A-Level Physics CIE — Magnetic Fields):
- Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor (related concept, involves F=BIL): Save My Exams — Force on Conductor
- Force on a Moving Charge: Save My Exams — Force on Moving Charge
- PhysicsAndMathsTutor (A-Level CIE — Magnetic Fields): PhysicsAndMathsTutor — Magnetic Fields
- Khan Academy (Magnetic force on a moving charge): Khan Academy — Magnetic Force for a Charge
- HyperPhysics (Magnetic Force): HyperPhysics — Magnetic Force
- YouTube — Problem Solving (Force on Moving Charge): Search for F=BQv Problem Solving Videos
Take a few moments to reflect on what you’ve learned:
- How does Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule help in determining the direction of the magnetic force? What does each finger represent?
- Explain the significance of the ‘sin θ’ term in the formula F = BQv sin θ. When is the force maximum and when is it zero?
- Describe a practical application or natural phenomenon where the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field plays a crucial role.