2010 AIPMT-MAINS Moving Charges and MagnetismLorentz Force Easy Question 4 of 10 in Lorentz Force

Two identical bar magnets are fixed with their centres at a distance d apart. A stationary charge Q is placed…

Two identical bar magnets are fixed with their centres at a distance d apart. A stationary charge Q is placed at P in between the gap of the two magnets at a distance D from the centre O as shown in the figure.

The force on the charge Q is
A Zero
B Directed along OP
C Directed along PO
D Directed perpendicular to the plane of paper

The answer is A.

Solution

Magnetic force on a charge: $\vec{F} = Q(\vec{v}\times\vec{B})$
The charge is stationary, so v = 0.
$F = QvB\sin\theta = 0$, whatever the magnetic field at P due to the two magnets may be.
A magnetic field exerts a force only on a moving charge; a steady magnet produces no electric field to act on a charge at rest.
Hence the force on the charge Q is zero.

Concept Lorentz force on a stationary charge

Lorentz Force in past papers

10 questions from this chapter have appeared across 8 exam years.