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In a region, steady and uniform electric and magnetic fields are present. These two fields are parallel to each other. A charged particle is released from rest in this region. The path of the particle will be a

Asked in JEE Main 2006 · Helical paths and field regions

• (1) circle
• (2) helix
• (3) straight line
• (4) ellipse

Step-by-step solution

Why the other options are wrong

• (1) Assumes the magnetic field bends the path, but the velocity stays along B⃗.
• (2) Assumes a perpendicular velocity component exists; starting from rest there is none.
• (4) Treats the motion like an orbit under a central force.

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