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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Other Sciences Question Forum => Topic started by: jtruong on June 04, 2010, 09:11:28 AM

Title: Motion of charged particle in uniform magnetic field
Post by: jtruong on June 04, 2010, 09:11:28 AM

I know that in a uniform magnetic field, a charged particle moves in a circular path.

Whenever something is moving in uniform circular motion

F= mv^2/r

In other words, centripetal force is proportional to v^2.

However, it is magnetic force that supplies centripetal force which is given by the formula

F=qvB

In other words, magnetic force that supplies centripetal force is proportional to v.

Is force in this case proportional to v^2 or v ?

Title: Re: Motion of charged particle in uniform magnetic field
Post by: Schrödinger on June 04, 2010, 02:03:34 PM

It is the magnetic force that provides the centripetal force
mv^2/r = qvB
Given certain values of q and B, magnetic force is proportional to v.

When the particle is moving in a circle of a given radius, then the centripetal force is proportional to v^2.