The force acting upon a → charged particle as it moves in a
→ magnetic field. It is expressed by
F = q.v x B, where q is the
→ electric charge,
v is its → velocity,
and B the → magnetic induction of
the field. This force is perpendicular both to the velocity of the charge
and to the magnetic field. The magnitude of the force is F = qvB sinθ,
where θ is the
angle between the velocity and the magnetic field. This
implies that the magnetic force on a stationary charge or a charge
moving parallel to the magnetic field is zero.
The direction of the force is given by the → right-hand rule.
See also: → Lorentz; → force.
