Motion of Charge in Parallel E and B Fields – Rankers Physics
Topic: Magnetic Effects of Current
Subtopic: Force Acting on Moving Charges

Motion of Charge in Parallel E and B Fields

If magnetic field in space is \(1\text{ T } \hat{i}\), electric field is \(10\text{ N/C } \hat{i}\), no gravitational field is present and a charged particle is released from rest from origin, it will:
not move at all
move in circular path
move in a helical path
move on a straight line

Solution:

Since the particle starts from rest, its initial magnetic force is zero. The electric field accelerates it along \(\hat{i}\). Because velocity remains parallel to the magnetic field, the magnetic force remains zero, and it continues on a straight line.

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