Suppose that you were looking down the barrel of a proton gun, as shown in the d

Question

Suppose that you were looking down the barrel of a proton gun, as shown in the diagram below. (Velocity points out of the screen toward you, magnetic field B is counter-clockwise around it). As the proton (in the center of the diagram) moves toward you with constant velocity, v, it creates a B-field according to the right-hand rule. Consider how the B-field would change if the gun instead shot an electron with the same v. The strength of the magnetic field stays the same (we figured out), but what would be the new direction of the magnetic field B? We think it would be in a circle still, but aren t sure if it would still be counter-clockwise or if it would change direction

Explanation / Answer

By the right hand rule, you always place your thumb in the direction of the positive flow of charge. So if an electron were shot out, you would point your thumb into the page and your fingers would wrap in a clockwise direction.

Thus, you still get a circle, but the direction of the field would flip to clockwise.

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