Two charged particles are projected into a region where there is a magnetic field perpendicular to their velocities. if the charges are deflected in opposit...

Two charged particles are projected into a region where there is a magnetic field perpendicular to their velocities. if the charges are deflected in opposite directions, which of the following statements is true of the charge?

Answer Details

When a charged particle moves through a magnetic field perpendicular to its velocity, it experiences a force that is perpendicular to both its velocity and the magnetic field. The direction of the force is given by the right-hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the velocity, the fingers point in the direction of the magnetic field, and the palm shows the direction of the force. If two charged particles are projected into such a magnetic field and are deflected in opposite directions, this means that they experience forces in opposite directions. This can only happen if the particles have opposite charges, since opposite charges attract and like charges repel. Therefore, the statement that is true of the charge is: "the charge must be of opposite sign."