qv×B

The term qv×B refers to the Lorentz force, a fundamental concept in electromagnetism. It describes the force experienced by a charged particle moving in a magnetic field. The formula itself is a vector cross product, indicating that the force is perpendicular to both the velocity of the charged particle (v) and the magnetic field (B). The magnitude of the force is proportional to the charge of the particle (q), its velocity, the strength of the magnetic field, and the sine of the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field vectors.

The Lorentz force is crucial for understanding a wide range of physical phenomena and technologies. For instance, it is responsible for the operation of electric motors, where the interaction between a current-carrying wire (which consists of moving charges) and a magnetic field generates a force that causes rotation. Similarly, it explains the deflection of charged particles in mass spectrometers, enabling the separation of ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Particle accelerators also rely on the Lorentz force to guide and accelerate charged particles to high energies. The direction of the force can be determined using the right-hand rule. This fundamental interaction plays a vital role in both theoretical physics and practical engineering applications.