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What must be known to determine the direction of the magnetic force on a charge?

1) type of the charge
2) the amount of the charge
3) the direction of the magnetic field
4) the velocity of the charge
5) the strength of the magnetic field

User Henning
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The direction of the magnetic force on a charge can be determined by knowing the type of charge, the direction and strength of the magnetic field, and the velocity of the charge. The right-hand rule is useful in visualizing the direction of the force in relation to the velocity of the charge and the magnetic field direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the direction of the magnetic force on a charge, we must know the type of the charge (1), the direction of the magnetic field (3), the velocity of the charge (4), and the strength of the magnetic field (5). The amount of the charge (2) is necessary to calculate the magnitude of the force but not the direction. The magnetic force on a moving charge can be described using the Lorentz force law, which is given by F = q×(v x B), where q is the charge, v is the velocity of the charge, and B is the magnetic field. The force is always perpendicular to both the velocity of the charge and the magnetic field. To find the direction of the magnetic force, we can use the right-hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the velocity, the fingers in the direction of the magnetic field, and the force is directed out from the palm.

User Posixpascal
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