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Physics Question 29 – JEE-MAIN 2026

A particle having charge 109 C moving in x-y plane in fields of 0.4j^ N/C and 4×103k^ T experiences a force of (4i^+2j^)×1010 N. The velocity of the particle at that instant is _______ m/s.

The total force on a charged particle moving in combined electric and magnetic fields is given by the Lorentz force law.

Step 1: Apply Lorentz Force Law✦ Active

The total force F on a charged particle q moving with velocity v in an electric field E and a magnetic field B is given by the Lorentz force law:

F=q(E+v×B)

Given values are q=109 C, E=0.4j^ N/C, B=4×103k^ T, and F=(4i^+2j^)×1010 N. Let the velocity be v=vxi^+vyj^ since the particle moves in the x-y plane. Substitute these into the Lorentz force equation:

(4i^+2j^)×1010=109(0.4j^+(vxi^+vyj^)×(4×103k^))
Step 2: Simplify and Calculate Magnetic Force Term○ Expand

Divide the entire equation by 109 and rearrange:

0.4i^+0.2j^=0.4j^+(vxi^+vyj^)×(4×103k^)

Now, calculate the cross product term v×B:

(vxi^+vyj^)×(4×103k^)=(vx)(4×103)(i^×k^)+(vy)(4×103)(j^×k^)

Using i^×k^=j^ and j^×k^=i^:

=(4×103vx)(j^)+(4×103vy)(i^)
=(4×103vy)i^(4×103vx)j^
💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember the cyclic properties of unit vector cross products: i^×j^=k^, j^×k^=i^, k^×i^=j^.

Step 3: Equate Components and Solve for Velocity○ Expand

Substitute the magnetic force term back into the main equation:

0.4i^+0.2j^=0.4j^+(4×103vy)i^(4×103vx)j^

Rearrange to group terms:

0.4i^+(0.20.4)j^=(4×103vy)i^(4×103vx)j^
0.4i^0.2j^=(4×103vy)i^(4×103vx)j^

Equate the coefficients of i^ and j^ components:

For i^ component:

0.4=4×103vyvy=0.44×103=4×1014×103=102=100 m/s

For j^ component:

0.2=4×103vxvx=0.24×103=2×1014×103=12×102=50 m/s

Thus, the velocity of the particle is v=50i^+100j^ m/s.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Carefully handle the signs and powers of 10 during calculations.

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