A very long straight wire carries a current I. At the instant when a charge +Q at point P has velocity v, as shown, the force on the charge is [figure]
- along Oy
- opposite to Oy
- along Ox
- opposite to Ox
Answer
(1) along Oy
Solution
Take x to the right, y upward and z out of the page.
Current I is upward and P is to its right B at P is into the page, B = -B k
v = v i
F = Q( v B) = QvB( i (- k)) = QvB j
The force is along Oy.
Answer: (1)