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An electron moving with a speed of 5.5×10⁵ m/s in the positive x direction experiences zero magnetic force. When it moves in the positive y direction, it experiences a force of 3.5×10⁻¹³ N that points in the positive z direction. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field?

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Final answer:

The magnitude of the magnetic field experienced by an electron moving in the y-direction and experiencing a force in the z-direction is calculated to be 0.04 Tesla, based on the known force and velocity of the electron.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the principles of magnetic force on a moving charged particle, specifically an electron. According to the Lorentz force law, the magnetic force (F) experienced by a moving charge (q) in a magnetic field (B) is given by F = qvBsin(θ), where v is the velocity of the charge, B is the magnetic field, and θ is the angle between the velocity vector and the magnetic field vector. Since the electron experiences a force only when traveling in the positive y direction and not the positive x direction, we can deduce that the magnetic field must be in the z direction. Given the force of 3.5×10⁻¹³ N, the speed of the electron (5.5×10⁵ m/s), and the elementary charge (q = -1.60×10⁻¹¹ C), and assuming that the angle θ between the velocity and magnetic field is 90 degrees (since it's the condition where the force reaches its maximum), we can calculate the magnitude of the magnetic field (B) as:

B = F / (|q|v) = 3.5×10⁻¹³ N / (1.60×10⁻¹¹ C × 5.5×10⁵ m/s) = 0.04 T

So, the magnitude of the magnetic field is 0.04 Tesla.

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