Find the magnitude of the force on an electron that is travelling with velocity 2 x 10^4 ms^(-1) in the x direction through a uniform magnetic field of strength 2T in the y direction.

This question tells us we only need to consider the magnitude of the force, and since the magnetic field and electron's velocity are perpendicular, we can simply use the equation

F = Bqv.

We have B = 2 T, q = 1.6 x 10-19 C (the charge of an electron) and v = 2 x 104 ms-1.

Substituting these values into the equation gives 

F = 2 * (1.6  x 10-19 ) * (2 x 104) = 6.4 x 10-15 N   (Remember your units!)

SH

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why is the sky blue?


What is gravitational potential and how can gravitational potential energy be used to estimate the escape velocity of a planet of mass m and radius r?


If a 10N tension force is exerted on a steel beam (E = 200 GPa) with cross-sectional area 1cm^2, what is the stress acting on the beam? What is the change in length of the beam, if the beam is 10cm long?


How can the first order kinematic (SUVAT) equations be derived?