1. What is the Lorentz Force Equation?

Definition: The Lorentz force equation describes the force exerted on a charged particle moving through an electromagnetic field.

Purpose: It's fundamental in electromagnetism and is used in applications like particle accelerators, electric motors, and plasma physics.

2. How Does the Equation Work?

The equation is:

Where:

• \( F \) — Lorentz force (Newtons, N)
• \( q \) — Electric charge (Coulombs, C)
• \( v \) — Velocity of the particle (meters/second, m/s)
• \( B \) — Magnetic field strength (Tesla, T)

Explanation: The force is perpendicular to both the velocity of the particle and the magnetic field (cross product).

3. Importance of Lorentz Force

Details: This force explains phenomena like the Hall effect, cyclotron motion, and is essential for understanding electromagnetic interactions in nature and technology.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the charge in Coulombs (e.g., 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ C for one electron), velocity in m/s, and magnetic field in Tesla. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if the velocity is parallel to the magnetic field?
A: The force will be zero since the cross product of parallel vectors is zero.

Q2: What's a typical charge value for electrons?
A: The elementary charge is approximately 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ Coulombs.

Q3: How strong is 1 Tesla?
A: 1 T is quite strong - Earth's magnetic field is about 25-65 μT (0.000025-0.000065 T).

Q4: Does this include the electric field component?
A: This calculator shows only the magnetic component (F = qv×B). The full Lorentz force includes electric field: F = q(E + v×B).

Q5: What's the direction of the force?
A: Use the right-hand rule: thumb=v, fingers=B, palm pushes in F direction (for positive charges).