Question

At some instant, an alpha particle (q = +2e) has the coordinates (3.0, 0.0, 0.0)(nm) and is moving along positive x-axis with 500 km/s while an electron at (0.0, 4.0, 0.0)(nm) is moving along negative y-axis with 1000 km/s. Find:

a) The magnitude and direction of the (total) magnetic field they create at the origin;
b) The magnitude and direction of the magnetic force felt by each particle.

Please show work!!

Answer 1

Each of these charges is moving along a coordinate axis. The magnetic field of a moving charge surrounds, and is concentric with, the line of motion of that charge and is zero on the line of motion.
So the magnetic field of the alpha is zero everywhere on the x-axis and the magnetic field of the electron is zero everywhere on the y-axis.
So the net field at the origin will be zero.

You might double check the direction of motion of the two charges. If, for example, the alpha is moving in the y-direction and the electron along the x-axis, then the lines of motion are offset from the origin and then there will be a non-zero field at the origin

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