Lorentz force
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In physics, the Lorentz force is the force exerted on a charged particle in an electromagnetic field. The particle will experience an electric force qE and a magnetic force qv × B. Combined they give the Lorentz force equation
- <math>\mathbf{F}
= q (\mathbf{E} + \mathbf{v} \times \mathbf{B}),<math>
where E is the electric field, B is the magnetic field, q is the charge of the particle, v is its current velocity (expressed as a vector), and × is the cross product.
Thus an electron q will simply be accelerated in the same linear orientation as the E field, but that electron will spiral when travelling through the B field, due to the orientation of the cross product operator, by the right-hand rule.
The Lorentz force is a principle used in many devices such as a Mass spectrometer or even a Railgun.
See also
de:Lorentzkraft fr:Force de Lorentz nl:Lorentzkracht ja:ローレンツ力 sl:Lorentzova sila