Magnetic Force on a Charged Particle (Edexcel International A Level Physics)

Magnetic Force on a Charged Particle

• The magnetic force on an isolated moving charged particle, such as a proton, is given by the equation:

F = BQv

• Where:

  • F = magnetic force on the particle (N)

  • B = magnetic flux density (T)

  • Q = charge of the particle (C)

  • v = speed of the particle (m s^-1)

• This is the maximum force on the charged particle, when F, B and v are mutually perpendicular

  • Therefore if a particle travels parallel to a magnetic field, it will not experience a magnetic force

• Current is the rate of flow of positive charge

  • This means that the direction of the 'current' for a flow of negative charge (e.g. an electron beam) is in the opposite direction to its motion

• If the charged particle is moving at an angle θ to the magnetic field lines, then the size of the magnetic force F is given by the equation: 

F = BQv sin θ

• This equation shows that: 

  • The size of the magnetic force is zero if the angle θ is zero (i.e. the particle moves parallel to the field lines)

  • The size of the magnetic force is maximum if the angle θ is 90° (i.e. the particle moves perpendicular to field lines)

Fleming's Left Hand Rule for a Charged Particle

• Fleming’s left hand rule can be used to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a moving charged particle in a magnetic field

  • The First Finger = direction of the magnetic field

  • The Second Finger = direction of conventional current (i.e. the velocity of a moving positive charge)

  • The Thumb = direction of the magnetic force

• Fleming's Left Hand Rule is illustrated in the image below:

Fleming's Left Hand Rule shows the magnetic force, magnetic field and conventional current (flow of positive charge) are all perpendicular to each other 

• Since this is represented in 3D space, sometimes the flow of charge, magnetic force or magnetic field could be directed into or out of the page, not just left, right, up and down

• The direction of the magnetic field into or out of the page in 3D is represented by the following symbols:

  • Dots (sometimes with a circle around them) represent the magnetic field directed out of the plane of the page

  • Crosses represent the magnetic field directed into the plane of the page

The magnetic field into or out of the page is represented by circles with dots or crosses

• The way to remember this is by imagining an arrow used in archery or darts:

  • If the arrow is approaching head-on, such as out of a page, only the very tip of the arrow can be seen (a dot)

  • When the arrow is moving away, such as into a page, only the cross of the feathers at the back can be seen (a cross)

An Electron Moving in a Magnetic Field

• The maximum magnetic force on a moving charged particle is always perpendicular to its velocity

  • This means magnetic forces cause charged particles to move in a circle

• The direction of magnetic force on the charged particle can be determined using Fleming's Left Hand Rule

  • The image below shows an electron incident on a uniform magnetic field B directed into the page:

An electron moving to the left as shown is equivalent to a conventional positive charge or current moving to the right. Using Fleming's Left Hand Rule, the direction of the force can be determined

• According to Fleming's Left Hand Rule:

  • B is directed into the page, therefore the first finger should point into the page

  • The conventional current (or velocity of a positive charge) is directed to the right (because an electron is moving to the left), therefore the second finger should point to the right

  • Therefore, the force on the electron as shown by the thumb is initially upwards as it enters the magnetic field

• The force due to the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the velocity of the electron

  • Note: this is equivalent to circular motion

  • Therefore, the magnetic force on a moving charge is a centripetal force

• The centripetal force is what keeps moving charges following a circular trajectory

• Examples of the direction of the magnetic force on positive and negative particles are:

The direction of the magnetic force F on positive and negative particles in a B field in and out of the page

• Fleming’s Left Hand Rule can be used again to find the direction of the force, magnetic field and velocity

  • The key difference is that the second finger, representing current I (direction of positive charge), can now be used as the direction of velocity v of a positive charge