what direction does the magnetic force point?
what direction does the magnetic force point?
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall the right - hand rule for magnetic force
The magnetic force on a charged particle is given by $\vec{F}=q\vec{v}\times\vec{B}$. For a positive charge $q$, we use the right - hand rule. Point the fingers of your right hand in the direction of $\vec{v}$ and curl them towards $\vec{B}$. Your thumb points in the direction of the force.
Step2: Apply the right - hand rule to the given vectors
The velocity $\vec{v}$ is in the negative $x$ - direction and the magnetic field $\vec{B}$ is in the positive $y$ - direction. When we point our right - hand fingers in the negative $x$ - direction and curl them towards the positive $y$ - direction, our thumb points in the negative $z$ - direction.
Answer:
negative z direction