Moderate

When charge particle enters perpendicular to magnetic field, the path followed by it is:

Correct answer: B. A circle

  • A. helix
  • B. A circle
  • C. Straight line
  • D. Ellipse

Explanation

B. When a charged particle enters a magnetic field perpendicular to the field lines, the path it follows is circular. The motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field is governed by the Lorentz force, which acts perpendicular to both the velocity of the particle and the magnetic field. This force causes the charged particle to experience a centripetal acceleration, resulting in a circular path. The radius of the circular path can be determined by the equation: r = (m * v) / (q * B) where: r is the radius of the circular path m is the mass of the particle v is the velocity of the particle q is the charge of the particle B is the magnetic field strength The direction of the circular path depends on the charge and the orientation of the magnetic field. For a positively charged particle, the path is counterclockwise, while for a negatively charged particle, it is clockwise. It's important to note that if the charged particle has an initial velocity component parallel to the magnetic field, it will experience a force that alters its path, resulting in a helical motion.

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About Electromagnetism

Magnetic flux density and magnetic flux describe the strength of a magnetic field and the field passing through a surface. A charged particle moving through a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to its velocity and may follow circular or helical motion, depending on the angle between velocity and field.

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