An electron moving in the negative x direction experiences a magnetic force in the positive z direction. If Bx = 0, what is the direction of the magnetic field?
Negative Y direction
An electron moving in the negative x direction experiences a magnetic force
In positive y direction
To determine the direction of the magnetic field, let's analyze the situation.
We are given that:
- The electron is moving in the negative x direction.
- The magnetic force experienced by the electron is in the positive z direction.
- Bx = 0, which means the magnetic field component in the x direction is zero.
The magnetic force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field is given by the equation:
F = q(v x B)
Where:
- F is the magnetic force
- q is the charge of the particle
- v is the velocity of the particle
- B is the magnetic field
From the given information, we can conclude that the magnetic force experienced by the electron is due to the y component of its velocity. Since the x component of the velocity is negative (moving in the negative x direction), and the magnetic force is in the positive z direction, we can deduce that the magnetic field must be in the positive y direction.
Therefore, the direction of the magnetic field is in the positive y direction.