Question

A charged particle moves along a circle under the action of possible constant electric and magnetic fields. Which of the following is possible?
(a) E = 0, B = 0
(b) E = 0, B ≠ 0
(c) E ≠ 0, B = 0
(d) E ≠ 0, B ≠ 0

Answer 1

(b) E = 0, B ≠ 0

The electric field exerts a force q E on the charged particle, which always accelerates (increases the speed) the particle. The particle can never be rotated in a circle by the electric field because then the radius of the orbit will keep on increasing due to the acceleration, which is not possible. So, options (c) and (d) are incorrect. On the other hand, a magnetic field does not change the magnitude of the velocity but changes only the direction of the velocity. Since the particle is moving in a circle, where its speed remains constant and only the direction of velocity changes, so it can only be achieved if E = 0 and B ≠ 0.