Physics · Force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields

Particles having positive charge occasionally come with high velocity from the s

Particles having positive charge occasionally come with high velocity from the sky towards the earth on account of magnetic field of earth, they would be deflected towards:

  • A. North
  • B. South
  • C. \) East
  • D. west

Step-by-step solution

A positively charged particle moving downward (toward Earth) experiences a Lorentz force F = q(v × B). In Earth's magnetic field, the horizontal component points north (in the northern hemisphere). Using the right-hand rule: downward velocity (v) cross northward magnetic field (B) gives a force directed eastward. Thus, the particle deflects east.
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