Motion of a charged

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Motion of a charged particle in the simultaneous presence of both electric and magnetic fields has variety of
manifestations ranging from straight line motion to the cycloid and other complex motion. Both electric and
magnetic fields impart acceleration to the charged particle. But, there is a qualification for magnetic field as
acceleration due to magnetic field relates only to the change of direction of motion. Magnetic force being always
normal to the velocity of the particle tends to move the particle about a circular trajectory. On the other hand,
electric force is along electric field and is capable to bring about change in both direction and magnitude
depending upon the initial direction of velocity of the charged particle with respect to electric field. If velocity and
electric vectors are at an angle then the particle follows a parabolic path.

One of the important orientations of electric and magnetic fields is referred as “crossed fields”. We use the term
“crossed fields” to mean simultaneous presence of electric and magnetic fields at right angle. The behavior of
charged particles such as electrons under crossed fields has important significance in the study of
electromagnetic measurement and application (determination of specific charge of electron, cyclotron etc.).

Before we proceed, we should understand that elementary charged particles have mass of the order of 10−28 kg
or less. Therefore, even small electric or magnetic force is capable to generate very high acceleration of the order
of 1012 m/s2 or more. Under proper set up, these particles achieve velocity comparable to speed of light. In
order to keep our discussion in the simple classical context, however, we shall confine our discussion limited to
the cases which are less complicated and which neglect relativistic effects.

Some of the important applications or phenomena associated with simultaneous presence of two fields include :
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
Measurement of specific charge of an electron (J.J.Thomson experiment)
Acceleration of charged particles (cyclotron)

In this module, we shall study first two of the listed application or phenomena. The third one i.e. cyclotron will be
discussed in a separate module.

Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields

We have already studied motion of charged particle in individual fields. Here, we shall combine the effects of two
fields. Few of the interesting cases are discussed here.
 Charged particle is moving along parallel electric and magnetic field
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
Theby:
Page velocity, electric
Sunil Kumar and magnetic vectors are in in the same direction. Let they are aligned along x-axis. Since
Singh
magnetic field and velocity vectors are parallel, there is no magnetic force.
 Books 
FM = v0 qB sin 0° = 0

where v0 is initial speed of the particle. The charged particle is, however, acted upon by electric field. It is
accelerated or decelerated depending on the polarity of charge and direction of electric field. Considering
positive charge, the electric force on the charge is given as :

FE = qE

The acceleration of particle carrying charge in x-direction is :

FE qE
⇒ ay = =
m m

The displacement along x-axis after time “t” is given by :

1 2
x = v0 t + ay t
2

2
qEt
⇒ x = v0 t +
2m

Charge is moving perpendicular to parallel electric and magnetic fields

Let electric and magnetic fields align along y-direction and velocity vector is aligned along positive x-direction.
Let the charge be positive and initial velocity be v0 .In this case, velocity and magnetic field vectors are
perpendicular to each other. Applying Right hand vector cross product rule, we determine that magnetic force is
acting in positive z-direction. If electric field is not present, then the particle revolves along a circle in xz plane as
shown in the figure below.

Motion of a charged particle in magnetic field

Figure 1. Motion of a charged particle in magnetic field

 However, electric field in y-direction imparts acceleration in that direction. The particle, therefore, acquires
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
velocity in y-direction and resulting motion is a helical motion. But since particle is accelerated in y –direction,
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh
the linear distance between consecutive circular elements of helix increases. In other words, the resulting motion
is ahelical
Books motion
 with increasing pitch.

Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields

Figure 2. Resulting motion is a helical motion with increasing pitch.

The radius of each of the circular element and other periodic attributes like time period, frequency and angular
frequency are same as for the case of circular motion of charged particle in perpendicular to magnetic field.

v 2π
R = ; T = ; ν = αB/2π; ω = αB
αB αB

Velocity of the charged particle

The velocity of the particle in xz plane (as also derived in the module Motion of a charged particle in magnetic
field (/m31345@#section-2b) ) is :

v = vx i + vz j = v0 cos ωti + vo sin ωtk

⇒ v = v0 cos (αBt)i + v0 sin (αBt)k

where α is specific charge. We know that magnetic force does not change the magnitude of velocity. It follows
then that magnitude of velocity is xy plane is a constant given as :

2 2 2
vx + vz = vxy

But, there is electric field in y-direction. This imparts linear acceleration to the charged particle. As such, the
particle which was initially having no component in y direction gains velocity with time as electric field imparts
acceleration to the particle in y direction. The velocity components in xz plane, however, remain same. The
acceleration in y-direction due to electric field is :

FE qE
⇒ ay = = = αE
m m
 Since initial velocity in y-direction is zero, the velocity after time t is :
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh ⇒ vy = ay t = αEt

Booksofthe particle at a time t, therefore, is given in terms of component velocities as :

Thevelocity

v = vx i + vy j + vj k

⇒ v = v0 cos (αBt)i + αEtj + v0 sin (αBt)k

Displacement of the charged particle

Component of displacement of the charged particle in xz plane is given (see module Motion of a charged particle
in magnetic field (/m31345@#section-2b) ) as :

Displacement of the charged particle in xz plane

Figure 3. Displacement of the charged particle in xz plane

v0
x = R sin (αBt) = sin (αBt)
αB

v0
z = R[1 − cos (αBt)] = [1 − cos (αBt)]
αB

The motion in y-direction is due to electric force. Let the displacement in this direction be y after time t. Then :

1 2
1 2
y = ay t = αE t
2 2

The position vector of the particle after time t is :

r = xi + yj + zk

v0 1 v0
2
⇒ r = sin (αBt)i + αE t j + [1 − cos (αBt)]k
αB 2 αB

Charge is placed at rest in crossed electric and magnetic fields

 Let electric and magnetic fields are aligned along z and x directions and charge is placed at the origin of
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
coordinate system. Initially, there is no magnetic force as charge is at rest. However, there is electric force, which
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh
accelerates the charge in z-direction. As the particle acquires velocity in z-direction, the magnetic force comes
intoplay and tries
Books  to rotate the particle in xz plane about a center on x-axis.

Cycloid motion

Figure 4. Cycloid motion

However, z-component of velocity keeps increasing with time due to electric force in that direction. The magnetic
force though draws the charged particle away from z-axis along a curved path. This action of magnetic force is
countered by electric force in z-direction. The velocity of charged particle ultimately reduces to zero at x-axis.
This cycle repeats itself forming cycloid motion. The cycloid path is generated by a point on the circumference of
a rolling wheel. Here, we shall skip the mathematical derivation and limit ourselves to a descriptive analysis only.

Determination of specific charge of electron (J.J.Thomson’s experiment)

The specific charge of an electron is ratio of charge and mass of electron. The specific charge (α) of electron is
measured employing crossed fields on a beam of electrons. The beam of electrons emerging from cathode plate
passes through a very narrow slit in anode plate. The electrons are accelerated between cathode and anode due
to applied electrical potential V. The kinetic energy of the electron emerging from the slit is given by :

1
2
mv = eV
2

2
⇒ mv = 2eV

where v is the velocity of electron moving into the region of force fields.

Two parallel plates connected to an electric source produce a uniform electric field E from positive plate to
negative plate. The electrical force works in the direction opposite to the direction of field E as charge on electron
is negative. In the figure, electric field is directed in downward direction. Hence, electric force acts in upward
direction.
 On the other hand, the magnetic field is produced by a solenoid in a circular region covering the plate as shown in
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
the figure. Its direction is chosen such that it applies a force in the opposite direction to that applied by the
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh
electrical field. For a magnetic field into the plane of drawing as shown by uniformly distributed cross signs, the
magnetic
 Books field applies a upward magnetic force on a positive charge. However, as the charge on the electron is
negative, the magnetic force acts in downward direction.

J.J.Thomson’s experimental set up

Figure 5. Measurement of specific charge of electron

The beam of electrons hit the center of fluorescent screen, producing light as electrons collide with it when
electric and magnetic fields are switched off. The point on the fluorescent screen is noted. Then, the electric field
is switched on which moves the electron beam in upward direction following a parabolic path. Finally, magnetic
field is turned and its magnitude is adjusted such that electric and magnetic forces acting in opposite directions
balance each other and the electron is brought to hit original spot as noted earlier for the fields in switched off
condition. In this situation:

eE = evB

E
⇒ v =
B

Note that maximum magnetic force applies as velocity and magnetic field vectors are perpendicular to each
other. Substituting expression of v in the kinetic energy equation obtained earlier, we have :

2
mE
= 2eV
2
B

2
e E
⇒ α = =
2
m 2V B

All the quantities on the right hand side of the equation are measurable, allowing us to measure the specific
charge of electron. As a matter of fact, the determination of specific charge of particles composing cathode ray
by J.J.Thomson is considered to be the discovery of electron. It can also be easily inferred that he could
determine the nature of charge of an electron by studying direction of deviation (upward or downward) when only
either of the fields operate. In the derivation above, we measure potential difference applied to accelerate particle
 between cathode and anode. We should, however, realize that we can determine specific charge measuring some
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
other quantities as well. We can measure the deflection of electron beam when either of two fields operates and
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh
use the data to determine specific charge of an electron.
 Books 

Problem : The d.c. voltage applied to accelerate particle between cathode and anode and the d.c. voltage
applied to the plates to produce electric field perpendicular to electrons beam are equal in the Thomson’s
experimental set up. If each of the two d.c. voltages as applied are doubled, then by what factor should the
magnetic field be changed to keep the electron beam un-deflected.

Solution : Let V1 , E1 and B1 be the potential difference, electric field and magnetic field for un-deflected
condition. Then, the specific charge is given by :

2
e E
1
α = =
2
m 2V1 B
1

Here, the electric field can be expressed in terms of potential difference provided we know the separation
between plates. Let the separation be d.

V1
E1 =
d

Putting in the equation above, we have :

2
V V1
1
⇒ α = =
2 2 2 2
2d V1 B 2d B
1 1

Let B2 be the new magnetic field when two potential differences as applied are doubled. Here,

V2 = 2V1

Putting new values in the expression for specific charge (note that specific charge of electron is a constant),

2V1
α =
2 2
2d B
2

Combining two equations,

2V1 V1
=
2 2 2 2
2d B 2d B
2 1

2 2 2 2
⇒ 2V1 d B = 4V1 d B
2 1

2
B
2
⇒ = 2
2
B
1

B2 –
⇒ = √2
B1

Measurement of deflection by magnetic field

 Once the magnetic and electric forces are balanced, electric field is switched off and electron beam is allowed to
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
be deviated due to magnetic field. The magnetic force acts always perpendicular to the direction of motion. The
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh
particle, therefore, moves along a circular path inside the region of magnetic field. When electron moves out of
themagnetic
Books field,
 it moves along the straight line and hits the fluorescent screen. If R be the radius of curvature,
then :

2
mv
= evB
R

⇒ mv = eRB

Substituting v = E/B as obtained earlier

e E
α = =
2
m RB

We measure R using geometry. We see that the angles enclosed between pairs of two perpendicular lines are
equal. Hence,

J.J.Thomson’s experimental set up

Figure 6. Deviation due to only magnetic field

DG OI
φ = =
R FO

F OXDG
⇒ R =
OI

We approximate DG to be equal to the width of magnetic region.

Measurement of deflection by electric field

In this case, once the magnetic and electric forces are balanced, electric field is switched off and electron beam
is allowed to be deviated due to electric field. The electron beam moving into the region of electric field
experiences an upward force. The force in upward (y-direction) imparts acceleration in y-direction. The particle,
 however, moves with same velocity in x-direction. As a result, path of motion is parabolic. Let the length of plate
Motion of a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields
be L and y be the deflection inside the plate. Then, time to travel through the plate is :
Page by: Sunil Kumar Singh

 Books  J.J.Thomson’s experimental set up

Figure 7. Deviation due to only electric field

L
t =
v

and acceleration of the particle in y-direction is :

FE eE
ay = =
m m

The vertical displacement is :

1 2
y = ay t
2

Substituting for time and acceleration, we have :

2 2
1 eE L eEL
y = X X =
2 2
2 m v 2mv

Substituting v=E/B as obtained earlier,

2 2 2 2
eEL B αEL B
y = X( ) = X( )
2m E 2 E

e 2yE
⇒ α = =
2 2
m B L

It is clear that measuring GH and HI, we can determine angle φ and then y as required.

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