Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsMagnetic Field due to a Current
A charged particle travels along a magnetic field line. The magnetic force acting on the particle is
Options
- Aopposite to its velocity
- Bperpendicular to its velocity
- Czero
- Dalong its velocity
Correct answer
C. zero
Step-by-step solution
The magnetic force acting on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field is given by F = q( v B ) . The magnitude of this force is F = qvB , where is the angle between the velocity vector v and the magnetic field vector B . Since the particle is traveling along a magnetic field line, its velocity is either parallel ( = 0^ ) or anti-parallel ( = 180^ ) to the magnetic field. In both cases, = 0 . Therefore, the magnetic force acting on the particle is zero.