What path would a charge moving in the x-y plane track, in the presence of a uniform magnetic field out of the page?

The magnetic force on a moving charge is always perpendicular to the directions of both velocity and B-field vectors. This means that in the presence of a uniform magnetic field, a particle will experience a constant force that is always at right angles to its tangential velocity. This is precisely what is required for a body to undergo circular motion! If you like, you can imagine a ball attached to one end of the string, with the other end secured on a tabletop with a pin. If you give the ball an initial velocity it will start moving in a circular arc. The force the string exerts to the ball has the same characteristics as the magnetic force described in the first paragraph. The origin of the two force is of course very different and yet the motion itself is identical.[DIAGRAM]

AH
Answered by Arsenios H. Physics tutor

2126 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A small ball of mass 150 g is placed at a height of 20cm above the ground on an incline of 35°. It is released and allowed to roll down the slope; what will be the ball's speed when it reaches the ground? Assume friction and air resistance can be ignored.


"An inclined plane at an angle of 25 degrees to the horizontal has a pulley at its top. A 30kg block on the plane is connected to a freely hanging 20kg block by means of a cord passing over the pulley. From rest how far will the 20kg block fall in 2s?


An unknown capacitor is charged to 6v, its maximum value, then discharged through a 1k ohm resistor. If the capacitor voltage is 3v, 0.3 seconds after starting to discharge, what is the capacitance of the unknown capacitor?


In the photoelectric effect, what happens as you increase the frequency of light keeping the same intensity constant?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning