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In a certain region of space, there is a uniform magnetic field pointing in the positive z-direction (+z). In what direction should a negative point charge move to experience a force in the positive x-direction (+x) ? 1. In the positive z-direction (+z) 2. In the negative z-direction (−z) 3. In the positive x-direction (+x) 4. In the negative x-direction (−x) 5. In the positive y-direction (+y) 6. In the negative y-direction (−y) 7. It can move in any direction. 8. It is impossible for the force to be in the +x-direction when the magnetic fielctis in the +z-direction.

User Nall
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Final answer:

A negative charge must move in the negative y-direction (-y) to experience a force in the positive x-direction (+x) when in a uniform magnetic field pointing in the positive z-direction (+z), according to the left-hand rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the direction a negative charge should move to experience a force in the positive x-direction (+x) while in a uniform magnetic field pointing in the positive z-direction (+z), we can use the right-hand rule for negative charges, which is a variation of the conventional right-hand rule. Typically, you would point your fingers in the direction of the velocity of a positive charge and curl them towards the direction of the magnetic field. Your thumb would then point in the direction of the magnet force on the positive charge. For a negative charge, the force is in the opposite direction to the thumb - this is known as the left-hand rule by analogy.

In this case, since the charge is negative and the force we're looking for is in the +x direction, you would point the fingers of your left hand in the direction of the magnetic field (which is along the +z-axis) and you want your thumb to point in the +x direction, indicating that the palm (opposite of thumb for a negative charge) faces the +x direction. Therefore, the negative charge must be moving in the negative y-direction (-y) to experience a force in the positive x-direction (+x). This corresponds with how the left-hand rule predicts the direction of the force on a negative charge.

User Laycat
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