Magnetic effect of current

When electric current passes through the wire, magnetic field is produced in the wire.

Fig. Deflection in compass due to current in the wire

Fig. Deflection in compass due to current in the wire

Fig: Magnetic field due to current in wire

Fig: Magnetic field due to current in solenoid

Right hand thumb rule

Maxwell’s corkscrew rule

Fleming’s left hand rule

Lorentz force
Fig: Right hand rule for vector
Lorentz force (or electromagnetic force) is the combination of electric and magnetic force on a
point charge due to electromagnetic fields. A particle of charge q moving with a velocity v in an
electric field E and a magnetic field B experiences a force

F = qE + qv x B

Electron in electric field

Electron enters the electric field perpendicular to it with velocity V. It moves
towards positive plate and trajectory is parabolic.

In electric field there is no force in horizontal direction and electric force F is in

vertical direction. Acceleration in vertical direction (due to electric field)

a = F/m = eE/m

Let electron travels horizontal distance x and vertical distance y in time ‘t’.

For horizontal motion

x = vt
t = x/v -----------------------------------------------(1)

For vertical motion

y = ut + (1/2)at2

= (1/2)at2 since initial vertical velocity u = 0

= (1/2)(eE/m)t2

= (eE/2m)t2

= e(V/d)(1/2m)(x/v)2

y = kx2

This proves parabolic path.

At exit point of electric field x = D

So, y = e(V/d)(1/2m)(D/v)2

= [(1/2)eV/2mdv2]D2

Angle at exit point from fig.

tanθ = vy /vx

vx = v and vy = uy + at = 0 +(eV/md)(D/v) [ In horizontal motion t = D/v]

vy = eVD/mdv

Hence tanθ = eVD/mdv2

Gain in kinetic energy at exit

δE = KEfinal – KEinitial

= (½) m[vfinal2 - vinitial2]

= (½) m[(vy2 + vx2) - v2]

= (½) m[(vy2 + v2) - v2]

= (½) m[(vy2]

= (½) m (eVD/mdv)2

= (½)(e2V2D2/md2v2)

= 2 e2V2D2/(KE)d2 ---------------------------------------------------(2)

Short Question: Beam of electrons and protons having same initial KE enter
normally into electric field, which beam will be more curved? [NEB 2072]

Answer: Both will be equally curved.

Magnetic field (Circular path)

Force acting on electron in magnetic field F = Q(VxB) in vector form

= BQVSinθ

= BQV if θ = 900 i.e. electron enters ⊥ to

magnetic field.

Force due to magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of motion as obvious

in fig. Such a force is centripetal force mV2/r.

Thus BQV = mV2/r

BQ = mV/r
For electron Q = e, V = rω and ω = 2π/T

Thus Be = m(2πr)/rT

T = 2πm/Be

We see time period is independent of velocity of electron in magnetic field and

electron moves on circular path.

Short Question: A charged particle is fired into a cubical region of space where
there is a uniform magnetic field. Outside this region there is no magnetic field. Is
it possible that the particle will remain inside the cubical region? Explain

Answer: Yes

Electron in magnetic field helical path

When electron enters at certain angle with magnetic field trajectory of electron is
helical path.

Electron parallel to the magnetic field

Force acting on electron in magnetic field F = Q(VxB) in vector form

= BQVSinθ

If electron is parallel to the magnetic field θ = 00 so that F = 0

Electron remains moving parallel to the magnetic field and path is not affected.

Motion of electron in cross Field

In any region of space If electric field and magnetic field are mutually perpendicular to each
other, it is called the region of cross field.

Let E = Electric field strength

B = magnetic field strength

If electron in cross field moves such a way that its path remains unaffected then

Force on electron due to electric field = Force on electron due to magnetic field

eE = Bev where v = velocity of electron

Short Question 1: A charged particle moves through a region of space with

constant velocity. If the external magnetic field is zero in this region, can we
conclude that external electric field in the region is also zero?

Answer: Yes.

Short Question 2: Write down expressions of acceleration of moving charge Q in

parallel and perpendicular magnetic field.

Short Question 3: Why is magnetic field used to deflect electron beam but not an
electric field in a TV picture tube?