Write the expression, in a vector form, for the Lorentz magnetic force $straight F with rightwards harpoon with barb upwards on top$ due to a charge moving with velocity $straight V with rightwards arrow on top$ in a magnetic field B. What is the direction of the magnetic force?

Solution

Lorentz magnetic force is given by:
$straight F with rightwards harpoon with barb upwards on top space equals space q left parenthesis stack V space with rightwards harpoon with barb upwards on top space cross times space B with rightwards harpoon with barb upwards on top right parenthesis$ ; q is the magnitude of the moving charge.
The direction of the magnetic force is perpendicular to the plane containing the velocity vector and the magnetic field vector.