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MCQ · Q3

Q.A proton enters a perpendicular uniform magnetic field B at the origin along the positive x axis with a velocity v, as shown in the figure. It will then follow which of the following paths? (A) It will continue to move along the positive x axis. (B) It will move along a curved path, bending towards the positive y axis. (C) It will move along a curved path, bending towards the negative y axis. (D) It will move along a sinusoidal path along the positive x axis. [Whether the field B is directed into or out of the plane of the paper is shown only in the source figure and flips the sign of the bending direction, so it cannot be answered without it.]

Maharashtra Board Std 12 Physics Magnetic Fields due to Electric Current: proton entering at the origin along the positive x axis with velocity v in a uniform magnetic field directed into the page
Figure
Maharashtra MsbshseTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★
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Concept understanding — Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge

A charge qq moving with velocity v⃗\vec{v} through a region containing a magnetic field B⃗\vec{B} experiences a force F⃗m=q(v⃗×B⃗)\vec{F}_m=q(\vec{v}\times\vec{B}), with magnitude F=qvBsin⁡θF=qvB\sin\theta where θ\theta is the angle between v⃗\vec{v} and B⃗\vec{B}. Combined with the ordinary electrostatic force qE⃗q\vec{E} whenever an electric field is also present, the total force is the Lorentz force, F⃗=q[E⃗+(v⃗×B⃗)]\vec{F}=q[\vec{E}+(\vec{v}\times\vec{B})].

Because a vector cross product is always perpendicular to both of the vectors that produce it, the magnetic force is always perpendicular to the particle's velocity. This has a striking consequence: the magnetic force does no work on the particle (work requires a force component along the direction of motion, and here that component is always zero), so it can never change the particle's speed or kinetic energy -- only the direction it is travelling in. A magnetic field also exerts zero force on a stationary charge, and zero force on a charge moving exactly parallel to the field, since in both cases the relevant angle in F=qvBsin⁡θF=qvB\sin\theta makes the force vanish. …

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