Question

A charged particle moves in a uniform magnetic field. The velocity of the particle at some instant makes an acute angle with the magnetic field. The path of the particle will be

• A. a circle
• B. a helix with uniform pitch
• C. a helix with non-uniform pitch
• D. a helix with uniform radius

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

a helix with uniform pitch
a helix with uniform radius

A charged particle moves in a circle when its velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field. When it forms an acute angle with the magnetic field, it can be resolved in two components, parallel and perpendicular. The perpendicular components tends to move it in circle, the parallel components tends it to move along the magnetic field to form a helical motion of uniform radius and pitch.