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Multiple Choice
A charged particle moving in a magnetic field has a force to the top of the page when it is moving toward the right and the field is into the page. Is this particle positive, negative or neutral?
A
Negative
B
Neutral
C
Positive
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the direction of the magnetic field, which is into the page. This can be represented by 'X' symbols, indicating the tail of arrows pointing away from you.
Determine the direction of the velocity of the charged particle, which is toward the right of the page.
Use the right-hand rule to find the direction of the magnetic force on a positive charge. Point your fingers in the direction of the velocity (right), and curl them toward the direction of the magnetic field (into the page). Your thumb will point in the direction of the force.
Observe that your thumb points to the top of the page, which matches the given direction of the force on the particle.
Conclude that since the right-hand rule applies to positive charges and the force direction matches, the particle must be positive.