Magnetic Force

Magnetic Force Equation

Suppose a charge q is moving with a velocity v in a magnetic field of strength B, the formula for the magnetic force is

Here, F is represented as a vector, and v x B is the cross product of v and B. In terms of its magnitude, suppose θ is the angle between v and B, then

F = q v B sin θ

If v and B are at 90 degrees, then the above equation simplifies to

F = q v B

Unit of magnetic force: Newton or N.

Lorentz Magnetic Force

In addition to the magnetic field, if an electric field of strength E is present, then the force experienced by the particle is

The above equation is known as the Lorentz force equation.

Right-Hand Rule

This rule is used to find the direction of magnetic force F on a positive moving charge using the forefinger, middle finger, and thumb at right angles to each other. According to this rule, if the right-hand thumb points in the direction of velocity v and the forefinger points in B‘s direction, the middle finger points to the force’s direction. In other words, F is perpendicular to the right-hand palm.

Here are some examples of the magnetic force in different situations, along with the diagrams.

1. Current-carrying Wire

Moving charges in a wire give rise to current, defined as charge divided by time. Consider a conducting wire of length L carrying current I in a magnetic field of strength B then the magnetic force is given by

If the angle between the wire and the magnetic field is θ, then the magnitude of F is

F = I L B sin θ

This equation gives the relationship between the current and magnetic force.

2. Two Parallel Wires

Imagine two wires placed parallel to one another. The magnetic field at a distance r from an infinitely long wire carrying current I₁ is given by

When a second wire carrying current I₂ is brought closer and kept parallel to the first, it experiences a force given by

The force per unit length is

The force is attractive if the currents are in the same direction and repulsive if they are in opposite directions.

3. Two Magnets

Magnets exert forces on each other and other metals. We can see this example in daily life. The capability of a magnet to attract objects comes from the principles of electromagnetism. According to electromagnetic theory, electrons’ motion around nuclei results in a current called a magnetic dipole. An ordinary bar magnet consists of many permanent dipoles whose interaction is the source of the magnetic force. It is possible to quantify this force by adding individual interactions.

A bar magnet consists of two poles located at the two ends. These ends are called the North Pole and South Pole. When two bar magnets are brought closer to one another, they experience a force of attraction or repulsion, depending on the nature of the poles. In general, like poles repel and opposite poles attract.

The magnetic force is applied in many devices and equipment. These include:

• Mass spectrometer
• Electromagnets
• AC and DC motors
• Transformers
• Maglev trains
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

There are quite a few similarities and differences between electric and magnetic forces. Here are some of them.

• Caused by the attraction and repulsion of charges.
• Have lines of forces that originate from and terminate to a particular point
• Have dipoles
• Like poles/charges repel, opposite poles/charges attract

Here are some differences between the electrostatic and magnetic forces.

Electrostatic Force vs. Magnetic Force
Property	Electrostatic Force	Magnetic Force
Due to	Stationary charges	Moving charges
State of objects	Electrically charged	Magnetized
Law	Coulomb’s Law	No specific law for the magnetic force, but when combined with the electric force, the governing law is Lorentz law
Magnitude	qE	qvB
Medium	Not affected by the medium	Not affected by the medium
Lines of force	Does not form a close loop	Form a close loop
Example	The force between a charged-comb and a piece of paper	The force between a bar magnet and an iron.