1. What is the Magnetic Force Equation?

Definition: This equation calculates the magnitude of the magnetic force on a moving charged particle in a magnetic field.

Purpose: It helps physicists and engineers determine the force experienced by charged particles in magnetic fields, essential for designing electrical systems and understanding particle physics.

2. How Does the Equation Work?

The equation is:

Where:

• \( F \) — Magnetic force (Newtons, N)
• \( q \) — Electric charge (Coulombs, C)
• \( v \) — Velocity (meters per second, m/s)
• \( B \) — Magnetic field strength (Tesla, T)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between velocity and magnetic field (degrees)

Explanation: The force is proportional to the charge, velocity, field strength, and the sine of the angle between the velocity and field vectors.

3. Importance of Magnetic Force Calculation

Details: Understanding this force is crucial for designing electric motors, particle accelerators, MRI machines, and studying cosmic rays.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the charge in Coulombs, velocity in m/s, magnetic field in Tesla, and angle in degrees (default 90°). All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when θ = 0° or 180°?
A: The force becomes zero because sin(0°) = sin(180°) = 0, meaning the particle moves parallel to the field.

Q2: What's the maximum force possible?
A: Maximum occurs at θ = 90° (sin(90°) = 1), when the particle moves perpendicular to the field.

Q3: What are typical values for these variables?
A: Electron charge = 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C, Earth's field ≈ 50μT, particle velocities vary from mm/s to near light speed.

Q4: Does this account for relativistic effects?
A: No, this is the classical form. For relativistic speeds, special relativity must be considered.

Q5: What's the direction of the force?
A: Direction is given by the right-hand rule (perpendicular to both v and B), but this calculator only finds magnitude.