Question

A particle with a charge of q = -5.40nC is moving in a uniform magnetic field of B =( -1.23T ) z^. The magnetic force on the particle is measured to be F=( -7.60*10^-7N )y^.

Calculate Vx, the x component of the velocity of the particle. express answer in meters per second.

Answer 1

F = q(v x B) where F, v, and B are all vector quantities and the "x" denotes the vector cross product

Since force is in the y direction and the magnetic field is in the z direction and both are negative values, this means the velocity will only be in the x direction and a negative value. The purpose of the cross product is to use it to operate on two vectors and return an orthogonal vector to the two on which the cross product was performed.

Since we know the vector direction we can simply drop the unit vector notation and deal solely with the magnitudes.

F = qvB Solve for v

F/qB = v Now you get your turn, just plug and chug the numbers and you'll get a right answer.