1. What is the Lorentz Force?

The Lorentz force is the force exerted on a charged particle moving through an electric and magnetic field. In this calculator, we focus on the magnetic component of the Lorentz force, which is perpendicular to both the velocity of the particle and the magnetic field.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Lorentz force equation:

Where:

• \( F \) — Lorentz force (N)
• \( q \) — Charge of the particle (C)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the particle (m/s)
• \( B \) — Magnetic field strength (T)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between velocity and magnetic field vectors (degrees)

Explanation: The force is maximum when the particle moves perpendicular to the field (θ = 90°) and zero when moving parallel (θ = 0°).

3. Importance of Lorentz Force Calculation

Details: The Lorentz force is fundamental in electromagnetism, explaining phenomena like the Hall effect, cyclotron motion, and the operation of electric motors and particle accelerators.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter charge in coulombs, velocity in m/s, magnetic field in teslas, and angle in degrees (0-180). All values must be valid (charge > 0, velocity ≥ 0, field ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the direction of the Lorentz force?
A: The force direction follows the right-hand rule: thumb (v), index finger (B), middle finger (F) for positive charges (reverse for negative).

Q2: What if the angle is 0° or 180°?
A: The force will be zero as sin(0°) = sin(180°) = 0, meaning the particle moves parallel to the field.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: Use SI units: coulombs (C), meters/second (m/s), teslas (T), and degrees (°).

Q4: Does this include the electric field component?
A: No, this calculator only computes the magnetic component. The full Lorentz force would include qE for electric fields.

Q5: How does charge sign affect the result?
A: The magnitude remains the same, but negative charges experience force in the opposite direction.