Chapter 36, Problem 34A

Can an electron be set into motion with a magnetic field? With an electric field?

To determine

To check: an electronset into motion with a magnetic field andan electric field or not.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

• The electric force is that type of force that acted on the charged particle due to the electric field.
• The magnetic force is the type of force which acts on the charged particle in the magnetic field which is given by the Lorentz’s force.

When an electron in a magnetic field is at rest, no force is experienced by it. So, it cannot be set into the motion by the magnetic field. On the other hand, when it is placed in the electric field at the rest, it gets accelerated due to the electrostatic force and this force depends only on the strength of the field and charge. But the magnetic field is depends on the velocity of the charge also. Magnetic force is zero when if velocity is zero.

Conclusion:

Hence, an electron which is a charged particle at the rest produced the only eclectic field but when it starts moving then magnetic field is also induced because the magnetic field is associated with the velocity of the charged particle.