Question

A positively charged particle is moving parallel to a long current carrying wire, at some distance from it (See fig). Will the charged particle deflect or not? Why?

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Answer 1

Yes , the charge will be deflected.The direction of deflection will depend upon the direction of current in the wire.

Reasons:

• The current carrying wire will exert a definite Magnetic Field Intensity at the place of motion of the charge.

• Now , any moving charge in an external magnetic field is going to experience a force perpendicular to its velocity vector and magnetic field vector.

• So, yes, the charge will be deflected.

• Now , if the direction of current in the wire is same as that of the velocity of the charge, then the charge will be deflected towards the wire.

• However , the direction of current in the wire is opposite to the velocity of the charge, then the charge will be deflected away from the wire.

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