Fill in the blank: The electrons follow a ________ path when they are deflected in a magnetic field due to the magnetic force.
Fill in the blank: The electrons follow a curved path when they are deflected in a magnetic field due to the magnetic force.
To understand why electrons follow a curved path when deflected in a magnetic field, you need to know about the Lorentz force.
The Lorentz force describes the force experienced by a charged particle moving in a magnetic field. Mathematically, it is given by the formula:
F = q(v x B)
Where F is the force vector, q is the charge of the particle, v is its velocity vector, and B is the magnetic field vector.
In this case, the charged particles are electrons, which have a negative charge (q). When a magnetic field (B) is applied perpendicular to the velocity vector (v) of the electrons, the Lorentz force creates a centripetal force that causes the electrons to follow a curved path. This curved path is perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the velocity of the electrons, forming a circular or helical trajectory.
The direction and magnitude of the curved path depend on the charge, velocity, and strength of the magnetic field. By manipulating these factors, you can control the trajectory of electrons in devices such as electron microscopes, particle accelerators, and mass spectrometers.