The Usage of Vectors in finding
interactions of an Electric Charge under
the influence of Electric and Magnetic
Fields
Word Count:
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Aim
1. Introduction and Aim
Electric and magnetic fields play a crucial role in physics and engineering.
Ranging from daily uses such as in RFID tags, motors, automobiles to scientific
applications such as in radiation therapy for cancer, Magnetic resonance Imaging
(MRI) to diagnose different body structures, particle accelerators (for example in
CERN) (Marchio, 2024). Particle accelerators produce and accelerate beams of
charged particles, such as electrons, protons and ions, of atomic and sub-atomic
size. Particles behave differently under the influence of these fields i.e., they are
accelerated and directed (Picot, Vargas, & Charisopoulos, 2023). This exploration
aims to use vector methodologies, such as vector cross product and projection and
use Lorentz Force to analyse behaviour of charged particles under the influence of
magnetic and electric fields, map the trajectories of the particles using graphing
tools.
I have chosen this exploration because of my passion for physics and mathematics.
Vectors can be seen used in physics in many topics such as in mechanics,
astrophysics, electromagnetism and it applies well to the real world as it is three
dimensional and vectors help to study in all these dimensions and we can use it in
practical applications in technology, such as in MRI and even understand natural
phenomena like auroras.
2. Background Knowledge
2.1. Electric Field-It is an electric property associated with each point
in space when charge is present in any form. (Britannica, electric
field, 2024) It is mathematically described as a vector field that
can be associated with each point in space, the force per unit
charge exerted on a positive test charge at that point. (Byju's, u.d.)
If the charge q experiences an electric force ⃗
F e, the electric field at
that given point will be-
⃗
Fe
⃗
E= (Verma, 2022)
q
The charge q used to define ⃗E is called a test charge.
In this exploration, an electric field shall be acted upon a charge q
. Then the force exerted upon the charge is-
⃗
F e =q ∙ ⃗
E
2.2. Magnetic Field- It is a vector field in the neighbourhood of a
magnet, electric current, or changing electric field, in which
magnetic forces are observable. (Britannica, magnetic field, 2024)
When an electric charge q is projected into a magnetic field ⃗B
with velocity v⃗ , the magnetic force is given as-
⃗
F m=[q ∙(⃗v × ⃗
B )] (Verma, 2022)
This shows that,
The direction of the magnetic force is perpendicular to the
direction of the magnetic field as well as to the direction of
the velocity
The force is proportional to the magnitude of the charge q
and its direction is opposite for positive and negative
charges. (Verma, 2022)
2.3. Lorentz Force – Force exerted on a charged particle q moving
with velocity ⃗v through both electric field ⃗E and magnetic field ⃗B .
(Britannica, Lorentz force, 2024)
Bibliography
Picot, W., Vargas, A., & Charisopoulos, S. (2023, September 8). What Are Particle
Accelerators? Retrieved from International Atomic energy Agency:
[Link]
Marchio, C. (2024, April 16). Electromagnets in Everyday Life: From Healthcare to
Transportation. Retrieved from Stanford Magnets:
[Link]
[Link]
Britannica, T. E. (2024, November 22). electric field. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica:
[Link]
Byju's. (n.d.). Electric field. Retrieved from Byju's: [Link]
Verma, H. (2022). Concept of Physics (Vol. 2). Bharati Bhawan.