An electron is moving along positive x-axis in a magnetic field which is parallel to the positive y-axis. in what direction will the magnetic force be acting on the electron?

an electron is moving along positive x-axis in a magnetic field which is parallel to the positive y-axis. in what direction will the magnetic force be acting on the electron?

In what direction will the magnetic force be acting on the electron?

Answer:
In the given scenario where an electron is moving along the positive x-axis in a magnetic field parallel to the positive y-axis, the direction of the magnetic force acting on the electron can be calculated using the right-hand rule.

  1. Velocity of the Electron: Since the electron is moving along the positive x-axis, its velocity vector would point in the positive x-direction.

  2. Magnetic Field Orientation: The magnetic field is parallel to the positive y-axis.

  3. Determining the Direction of the Magnetic Force: According to the right-hand rule (also known as the Fleming’s left-hand rule in this context), if the forefinger points in the direction of the magnetic field (positive y-axis), and the middle finger points in the direction of the velocity (positive x-axis), then the thumb will point in the direction of the magnetic force.

Therefore, in this case, the magnetic force will act in the negative z-axis direction (coming out of the plane formed by the x and y-axes).