Exam-style question
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What is the direction of the magnetic force acting on a positively charged particle moving in a magnetic field?.
- A.Perpendicular to both the velocity and the magnetic field direction
- B.In the same direction as the velocity
- C.In the opposite direction to the magnetic field
- D.Along the magnetic field lines
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Perpendicular to both the velocity and the magnetic field direction
Explanation
Why this works
The magnetic force on a charged particle is given by the right-hand rule, which states that the force is perpendicular to both the velocity of the particle and the direction of the magnetic field.
Common mistake
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