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If velocity of an electron is (2̂i+3̂j) m s⁻¹ and it enters in the magnetic field of 4̂k T, then

Asked in GUJCET 2007 · Circular motion: radius, period and energy

Answer: (4) direction of its velocity will change

Step-by-step solution

Given: ⃗v=(2̂i+3̂j) m s⁻¹ and ⃗B=4̂k T.

Idea: the magnetic force is ⃗F=q(⃗v×⃗B), always perpendicular to both ⃗v and ⃗B.

Here ⃗v lies in the xy plane and ⃗B is along z, so ⃗v⊥⃗B and the force is qvB, not zero.

Being perpendicular to ⃗v, the force does no work: the speed √2²+3²=√13 m s⁻¹ cannot change.

What it does change is the direction of ⃗v — the electron turns along a circle in the xy plane.

Why the other options are wrong

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