Hand outs in Physics 2 

Lesson 2: Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges 

 
Objectives: 
1. Determine the direction of Magnetic force on a moving object using the concept of right-hand rule; 
2. Differentiate interactions between gravitational, electric and magnetic interactions; 
3. Calculate  the  magnetic  force  on  a  charge placed in a constant magnetic field and in an environment 
with both electric and magnetic field using the Lorentz Force; and 
4. Describe  the  motion  of  a  charged  particle  in  a  magnetic  field  in  terms  of  its  speed,  acceleration, 
cyclotron radius, cyclotron frequency. 
Outline 
III. The Concept of Magnetism 
Lesson 2:Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges 
A. Relationship between Electricity and Magnetism 
B. Right Hand Rule 
C. Problems on ​Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges 
a. Magnitude and Direction 
b. Using the Cross products of vectors 
c. Motion in cyclotron radius and cyclotron frequency 
 
 
Background: 
Magnetic Field​- describe as the region in which magnetic force can be detected which forms closed loops. 
Tesla (T)​- is the unit used to measure magnetic field.  

1 T= 1 N/(C*m/s) or 1 N/A*m. ​The ​symbol used is (Vector B 

 
A.Relationship between Electricity and Magnetism 
 
Christian  Hans  Oersted  who  discovered  the  relationship  between  magnetic  forces  and  the  moving 
charges in a current 

Formulated the Oersted law which states that an electric current produces a magnetic field. 

The  force  on  a  charged  particle  moving  with a velocity (v) in a magnetic field is equal to the charge of 

the particle multiplied by the cross product of its velocity and magnetic field. 

From these we can derived the formula​: F=qvXBsin​θ  

Whereas; 

F= ​magnetic force (N) 

q=​charged of particle © 
v=​velocity of moving particle(m/s) 
B= ​Magnetic field strength​ ​(T) 
sin​θ= ​the angle between the B and v (since the force should be always perpendicular both to the B 
and V) 
 
Take  note:  The  force  will  be  at  its  greatest  if  the  angle  between  them is 90 degrees but no force when B and v 
are parallel to each other 

 
Prepared by: Mr. John Lorence A. Villamin 
Physics 2 Teacher 
  
B. Determining the direction of the force using Right Hand Rule 
-We use right hand if the particle is positive and left if otherwise
This part is already taught to you during our physics class.
Just answer the given exercise:

C. Problems on ​Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges 

a. Magnitude and Direction 
 
Sample Problems: Refer for the computation on the next page 
 
1. A proton moves through a uniform magnetic field of a magnitude of 2.0 ​ μT at a speed of 5.0 x 10​6​ m/s. 
(a) What is the magnitude of maximum magnetic force it can experience? 
(b) If the proton is replaced by electron, will it experience the same maximum force? 

2. A particle with a mass of ​1.5 x 10​-3​ kg and a charge of 2.0 μC moves at a velocity of 5.0 x 10​3​ m/s in the 
positive y direction where a magnetic field exists of B= 2.0 TÎ — 1.0 Tĵ . 
(a) What is the magnitude and the direction of magnetic force it can experience? 
(b) How about its acceleration? 

 
 
 
 
 
Prepared by: Mr. John Lorence A. Villamin 
Physics 2 Teacher 
Prepared by: Mr. John Lorence A. Villamin 
Physics 2 Teacher 
 
Prepared by: Mr. John Lorence A. Villamin 
Physics 2 Teacher   
 
Please try this Out! 
 
1. A proton moving horizontally at ​3.5 x 10​4​ m/s enters ​a uniform magnetic field of a magnitude of 0.075 ​T 
directed upward at 30​ °​ with the horizontal. Find the direction and the magnitude of the force acting on 
a proton. 

2. A particle with a mass of ​3.0 x 10​-4​ kg and a charge of 1.8 μC moves at a velocity of 4.5 x 10​3​ m/s in the 
negative y direction where a magnetic field exists of B= 3.0 TÎ — 2.0 Tĵ . 

(a) What is the magnitude and the direction of magnetic force it can experience? 
(b) How about its acceleration? 

Prepared by: Mr. John Lorence A. Villamin 

Physics 2 Teacher