What you already know

Welcome to 1. Uniform magnetic field

2. Motion of a charged particle in a
uniform magnetic field

BYJU’S 3. Motion parameters of UCM in a

perpendicular magnetic field
4. Lorentz force

Classes What you will learn

moving charges and 1. Motion of a charged particle in a
uniform electromagnetic field
magnetism 2. Cyclotron
3. Hall effect
S5: MOTION OF A CHARGED 4. Magnetic force on a current carrying
PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM conductor
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD
MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸, 𝐵 and 𝑣Ԧ all the three are collinear

The electrostatic force acting on the charge: 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝑞𝐸
𝐵 𝐸
Since the velocity of the charged particle and magnetic field are
acting along the same direction, 𝑣Ԧ × 𝐵 = 0. Thus, the
magnetic force on the charged particle on the particle is zero. 𝑣Ԧ
𝑞
Hence, net force on the charged particle is, 𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝑞𝐸

If the charge is positive, the charge will accelerate in the

direction of electric field.
If the charge is negative, the force on it will be opposite to its velocity and hence, the charge will deaccelerate.

𝐹Ԧ = 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝑞𝐸
MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸, 𝐵 and 𝑣Ԧ are mutually perpendicular 𝐸

The electrostatic force acting on the charge: 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝑞𝐸

Since the velocity of the charged particle and magnetic field 𝐹𝑒 = 𝑞 𝐸 𝐵
are perpendicular to each other,
𝑣Ԧ × 𝐵 = 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 sin 90° = 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 .
Thus, the magnetic force on the charged particle is not zero.
+ 𝑣Ԧ
As the charge is positive, the electrostatic force will be
upwards and the magnetic force will be downwards.

Since the direction of both the forces are opposite to each 𝐹𝑚 = 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵

other, the net force on the charged particle is,
|𝐹Ԧ𝑛𝑒𝑡 | = |𝐹Ԧ𝑒 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 | = 𝑞 𝐸 − 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 𝑣Ԧ

𝐵
𝐹Ԧ = 𝑞 𝐸 − 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 𝐹Ԧ𝑚
MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸, 𝐵 and 𝑣Ԧ are mutually perpendicular

*Effect of gravity is neglected.
𝐹Ԧ = 𝑞 𝐸 − 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 𝐸

If 𝐹Ԧ = 0, both the forces will be equal and opposite to

each other and hence, the charged particle will move 𝐹𝑒 = 𝑞 𝐸 𝐵
undeflected in the electromagnetic field. Therefore,

+ 𝑣Ԧ

𝐹𝑚 = 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵

𝐸
𝑣Ԧ =
𝐵
VELOCITY SELECTOR
𝐸
𝑣Ԧ = 𝐵
𝐵

This condition can be used to select charged 𝐸 path 𝐼 𝑣Ԧ < 𝑣Ԧ 𝑟𝑒𝑞

particles of a particular velocity out of a beam

path 𝐼𝐼 𝐸
containing charges moving with different speeds + 𝑣Ԧ = 𝑣Ԧ 𝑟𝑒𝑞 =
𝐵
(irrespective of their charge and mass).
If 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 > 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 , the net force on the particle is in path 𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑣Ԧ > 𝑣Ԧ 𝑟𝑒𝑞

upward direction.
Condition of velocity so that the particle follow path 𝐼:
𝐸
𝐹Ԧ𝑒 > 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 ⇒ 𝑞 𝐸 > 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 ⇒ 𝑣Ԧ <
𝐵

If 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 , the net force on the particle is zero. Therefore, the condition of velocity so that the particle follow path 𝐼𝐼 can be
𝐸
obtained as : 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 ⇒ 𝑞 𝐸 = 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 ⇒ 𝑣Ԧ =
𝐵
If 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 < 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 , the net force on the particle is in downward direction. Therefore, the condition of velocity so that the particle
𝐸
follow path 𝐼𝐼𝐼 can be obtained as : 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 < 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 ⇒ 𝑞 𝐸 < 𝑞 𝑣Ԧ 𝐵 ⇒ 𝑣Ԧ >
𝐵
The figure shows a velocity selector whose electric field 150 𝑉
is produced by a potential difference of 150 𝑉 across
the two large parallel metal plates that are 4.5 𝑐𝑚
apart. 𝑦
Find the magnetic field 𝐵, so that a positively charged
𝑣Ԧ = 3.25 𝑘𝑚/𝑠
particle having a velocity of 3.25 𝑘𝑚/𝑠 perpendicular +
𝑥
4.5 𝑐𝑚
to the fields will pass through the plates undeflected.
𝑧
𝐸
Solution
Potential difference between the plates : 𝑉 = 150 𝑉
Separation between the plates :
9 9
𝑑 = 4.5 𝑐𝑚 = 𝑐𝑚 = 𝑚
2 200
Therefore, the electric field between the plates is,
𝑉 150 × 200
𝐸 = (−𝑗)Ƹ = (−𝑗)Ƹ
𝑑 9
Since the charge is positive, the electrostatic force on the
particle will also act along – 𝑣𝑒 𝑦-axis i.e., along (−𝑗).
Ƹ
Since the charged particle passes through the plates in undeflected 150 𝑉
manner, the magnetic force on the particle should be opposite to
the direction of the electrostatic force. Therefore, the direction of the
magnetic force should be along +𝑣𝑒 𝑦-axis i.e., along (+𝑗). Ƹ 𝑦
𝐹Ԧ𝐵
Now, the velocity of the particle is along (+𝑖). Ƹ Thus, the
𝑣Ԧ = 3.25 𝑘𝑚/𝑠
෠ so that:
magnetic field should be along (−𝑘) + 𝑥 4.5 𝑐𝑚
𝐹Ԧ𝐵 = + 𝑖Ƹ × −𝑘෠ = +𝑗Ƹ 𝐹Ԧ𝐸
𝑧 𝐸
The required velocity for which the motion of the particle
remains undeflected while it passes through the plates can be
found as follows:

𝐵 = 1.02 𝑇
MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸||𝐵 and 𝜃 ≠ 0°, 180° 𝑦

Let the particle is projected in the uniform electromagnetic field at an
angle with 𝑥-axis, as shown in the figure. For simplicity, lets assume for
an instant that the electric field is absent. 𝑣Ԧ𝑜
➢ The perpendicular component of the velocity i.e., 𝑣⊥ = 𝑣𝑜 sin 𝜃 𝑣Ԧ⊥ = 𝑣Ԧ𝑜 sin 𝜃
is responsible for UCM because this component of the velocity is
𝜃
perpendicular to the magnetic field.
𝑧
➢ The parallel component of the velocity i.e., 𝑣|| = 𝑣𝑜 cos 𝜃 is
responsible for linear translational motion because this component
𝐸
𝐵
of the velocity is parallel to the magnetic field.
𝑥
If we combine these two types of motion, then the resultant motion will be a helix with uniform pitch.
Now, let us apply the electric field parallel to the magnetic field.
➢ If the charge is positive, then the electrostatic force 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = 𝑞𝐸 reinforces 𝑣Ԧ|| and produces acceleration in the particle.
Consequently, the pitch of the helix increases.
➢ If the charge is negative, then the electrostatic force 𝐹Ԧ𝑒 = −𝑞𝐸 opposes 𝑣|| and produces deceleration in the particle.
Consequently, the pitch of the helix decreases.
MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸||𝐵 and 𝜃 ≠ 0, °180°

Helical motion with variable pitch

MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸||𝐵 and 𝜃 ≠ 0°, 180° 𝑦

Along 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 𝑣Ԧ⊥ = 𝑣Ԧ𝑜 sin 𝜃

The acceleration of the charged particle along the 𝑥-axis is produced by the
electrostatic force on it. Therefore, 𝑥

𝑣Ԧ|| = 𝑣Ԧ0 cos 𝜃

Since the initial velocity of the particle along the 𝑥-axis is 𝑣|| = 𝑣𝑜 cos 𝜃, thus, the velocity of the particle along 𝑥-axis at
any instant will be:

𝑞𝐸
|𝑎Ԧ𝑥 | = 𝑣Ԧ𝑥 = 𝑣0 cos 𝜃 + 𝑎Ԧ𝑥 𝑡
𝑚
MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD
𝑦
When 𝐸||𝐵 and 𝜃 ≠ 0°, 180°
In 𝑦𝑧 − 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑡 = 𝑡 𝑣Ԧ𝑜 sin 𝜃

The motion of the particle will be UCM. 𝑅

𝜔𝑡
Since the UCM is superposition of two SHMs in perpendicular
directions, the acceleration of the particle can be divided in 𝑧 𝑡=0 −𝑧
two perpendicular component as given below:

𝑎Ԧ𝑦 = 𝜔2 𝑅 sin 𝜔𝑡 −𝑗Ƹ

𝑎Ԧ𝑧 = 𝜔2 𝑅 cos 𝜔𝑡 −𝑘෠

MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

When 𝐸||𝐵 and 𝜃 ≠ 0°, 180°

𝑦
In 𝑦𝑧 − 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
𝑡 = 𝑡 𝑣Ԧ𝑜 sin 𝜃
Since the perpendicular component of the velocity i.e., 𝑣⊥ = 𝑣𝑜 sin 𝜃
is responsible for UCM, the radius of the circle will be:
𝑅
𝑚𝑣⊥ 𝑚𝑣𝑜 sin 𝜃 𝜔𝑡
𝑅= =
𝑞𝐵 𝑞𝐵 𝑧 𝑡=0 −𝑧
Since the time period doesn’t not depend upon the velocity, it is given by,
2𝜋𝑚
𝑇=
𝑞𝐵

𝑚𝑣0 sin 𝜃 2𝜋𝑚

𝑅= 𝑇=
𝑞𝐵 𝑞𝐵
CYCLOTRON
The cyclotron is a machine that uses both electric and magnetic fields in combination to accelerate charged
particles or ions to high energies.
The part of the figure which is named as 𝐷1 and 𝐷2 are Deflection
known as ‘Dees’ because of their resemblance with the plate
English letter ‘𝐷’. Exit port
The Dees are connected with an oscillator to provide a AC
voltage in between the Dees which in turn provides the
electric field in between them.
As soon as the positive charge enters one of the Dees (say
𝐷2 ), the particle describes a semi-circular path within 𝐷2
𝐷1 𝐷2
because the magnetic field inside the Dees is perpendicular
to the velocity.
Since the oscillator provides AC voltage, the polarity of the
voltage gets altered at the moment when the particle is
about to come out of 𝐷2 and consequently, the particle gets
pushed to 𝐷1 . This synchronisation between the time
required to alternating the polarity of voltage and the time Oscillator
required to describe a semi-circle within the Dees is known
as resonance.
CYCLOTRON

Deflection Deflection
plate plate
Exit port Exit port

𝐴
𝐷1 𝐷2 𝐷1 𝐷2
𝐵

+ − − +

Oscillator Oscillator

When the particle is at point 𝐴, the polarity of the oscillator becomes such that it can provide an electric field which
pushes the particle into 𝐷2 . Similarly, as soon as the particle comes to point 𝐵 the polarity of the oscillator gets
changed in such a way that the electric field originated between the Dees can push the particle into 𝐷1 .
CYCLOTRON
When the particle comes in the region in between the Dees, it gains energy
from the electric field. As the particle crosses the gap between the Dees
multiple times, the energy gained by it will be higher.
Total time taken by the charged particle to describe two semi-circles, one
within 𝐷1 and the other within 𝐷2 , is given by,
2𝜋𝑚
𝑇=
𝑞𝐵
Therefore, the frequency is given by,
𝑞𝐵
𝑓𝑐 =
2𝜋𝑚
[Cyclotron frequency]
𝑓𝑐 is independent of speed and radius of charged particle.
Cyclotron works on the resonance principle.
𝑓𝑜𝑠𝑐 = 𝑓𝑐
❖ Recall the line, “The synchronisation between the time required to alternating the polarity of voltage and the
time required to describe a semi-circle within the Dees is known as resonance”. This means that the frequency
(𝑓𝑜𝑠𝑐 ) of AC voltage produced by the oscillator should be equal to the cyclotron frequency.
CYCLOTRON
Kinetic energy imparted to charged particle
𝑚𝑣
Radius of the trajectory at exit = 𝑅 =
𝑞𝐵

Therefore, the kinetic energy of the charged particle:

𝑞2 𝐵2 𝑅2
𝐾. 𝐸. =
2𝑚
HALL EFFECT 𝑦
𝑖

𝑥
𝑧
𝑖
𝐹Ԧ𝑚 = −𝑒 𝑣Ԧ𝑑 × 𝐵
Magnified view 𝑣Ԧ𝑑 −
+ 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 = − 𝑗Ƹ × −𝑘෠
𝐹Ԧ𝐵
− − 𝐹Ԧ𝑚 = 𝑖Ƹ

Since the current carrying conductor is placed in the magnetic field, the free electrons moving with drift velocity 𝑣𝑑
inside the wire feel the magnetic force on them. Due to the magnetic force, the free electrons get accumulated on one
side (right side in the figure) of the conductor along its length.
HALL EFFECT

𝑖 As more and more electrons gets accumulated at one side on the wire, there is a
deficiency of electrons on the other side of the wire and because of this fact, a
𝐸 transverse electric field is generated, as shown in the figure.
Hence, a potential difference is developed across the width of the conductor.
The appearance of a transverse emf, when a current-carrying wire is placed in a
𝑣Ԧ𝑑
magnetic field, is called Hall effect.
At some later instant, the transverse electric field opposes the magnetic force on
𝐹Ԧ𝐸 𝐹Ԧ𝐵
− the electrons. In most of the cases, the magnetic force is greater than the
electrostatic force and hence, the electrons keep on accumulating at one side of the
wire. Therefore, it can be said that there is a net force on the current carrying wire.

𝑑
MAGNETIC FORCE ON A CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR
Force on a differential current element
Let, The velocity of the electrons: 𝑣Ԧ𝑑 = 𝑣𝑑 − 𝑗Ƹ
𝐵
The number density of the electrons in the conductor: 𝑛

The magnetic force on one electron: 𝑑𝑙

If there is total 𝑁 number of electrons in the conductor, then force on the
𝑖
conductor will be:
𝑑𝑙

Consider a current element of length 𝑑𝑙, as shown in the figure. Thus,

the force on the element will be:
𝑑𝐹Ԧ = 𝑛𝐴𝑑𝑙 − 𝑒 𝑣Ԧ𝑑 × 𝐵

𝑑 𝐹Ԧ = 𝑖 𝑑 𝑙Ԧ × 𝐵

Since the current (𝑖 = 𝑛𝑒𝐴𝑣𝑑 ) is a scalar quantity, we choose the current element as a vector quantity having the direction
opposite to the velocity of electrons i.e., the direction of current element is along the direction of current.
MAGNETIC FORCE ON A CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR
Force on a straight current carrying wire The force on an current carrying element placed in a magnetic field:

𝑑 𝐹Ԧ = 𝑖 𝑑 𝑙Ԧ × 𝐵
𝐵
Therefore, the force on the entire current carrying wire:

𝑖
𝑙
𝐹Ԧ

𝐹Ԧ = 𝑖 𝑙Ԧ × 𝐵
On a smooth inclined plane at 30° with the
horizontal, a thin current carrying metallic rod is Side view
placed parallel to the horizontal ground. The plane is 𝑁
𝐵
located in a uniform magnetic field 𝐵 of 0.15 𝑇 in
the vertical direction. For what value of current can 𝑖
the rod remain stationary ? The mass per unit length 30°
of rod is 0.30 𝑘𝑔𝑚−1 . (Take 𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 𝑚𝑔
30°
Solution
𝑚
Mass per unit length of the rod: 𝜆 = = 0.3 𝑘𝑔/𝑚
𝑙
The rod will remain stationary if the component of the
gravitational force (i.e., 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃 ) gets balanced by an
external force (𝐹𝑒𝑥𝑡 ) acting on the wire.
Since the inclined plane is smooth, no frictional force will act
on the wire. Therefore, the magnetic force can be the only
external force that can balance 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃.
Front view
𝐵 = 0.15 𝑇 𝑚/𝑙 = 0.30 𝑘𝑔𝑚−1 𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2

𝑁
𝐵
𝑖 𝐹Ԧ𝐵

30°
𝑚𝑔
30°

11.3 𝐴