Magnetic Force On A Moving Charge
A proton moving with a speed of 2×106 m/s enters a uniform magnetic field of 0.5 T at right angles to the field lines; what is the magnitude of the magnetic force experienced by it?
Select the correct option:
Solution
1.6×10−13 N
As stated in NCERT Class 12, Chapter 4 (Moving Charges and Magnetism), a charge q moving with velocity v in a magnetic field B experiences the Lorentz force F=qvBsinθ, where θ is the angle between velocity and field. This force is always perpendicular to both the velocity and the field, so it changes direction of motion without doing any work on the particle. Here the proton enters at right angles, so θ=90∘ and sinθ=1, giving maximum force. Substituting the proton charge q=1.6×10−19 C, v=2×106 m/s and B=0.5 T: F=(1.6×10−19)(2×106)(0.5)=1.6×10−13 N. The option 1.6×10−19 N is wrong because it is merely the electronic charge and ignores v and B. The value 0.8×10−13 N is half the correct answer, arising from wrongly using sin30∘. The value 3.2×10−13 N doubles the charge incorrectly. Plausibility check: the units work out as C⋅m/s⋅T=N, and the magnitude (∼10−13 N) is reasonable for a subatomic particle in a moderate field.
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About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- magnetic effects of current and magnetism
- Topic
- magnetic force on a moving charge
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
1.6×10−13 N
As stated in NCERT Class 12, Chapter 4 (Moving Charges and Magnetism), a charge q moving with velocity v in a magnetic field B experiences the Lorentz force F=qvBsinθ, where θ is the angle between velocity and field. This force is always perpendicular to both the velocity and the field, so it changes direction of motion without doing any work on the particle. Here the proton enters at right angles, so θ=90∘ and sinθ=1, giving maximum force. Substituting the proton charge q=1.6×10−19 C, v=2×106 m/s and B=0.5 T: F=(1.6×10−19)(2×106)(0.5)=1.6×10−13 N. The option 1.6×10−19 N is wrong because it is merely the electronic charge and ignores v and B. The value 0.8×10−13 N is half the correct answer, arising from wrongly using sin30∘. The value 3.2×10−13 N doubles the charge incorrectly. Plausibility check: the units work out as C⋅m/s⋅T=N, and the magnitude (∼10−13 N) is reasonable for a subatomic particle in a moderate field.
This medium difficulty physics question is from the chapter magnetic effects of current and magnetism, covering the topic of magnetic force on a moving charge. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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