GATE EC 2016 Set 2 — Question 33
Go beyond PYQs with Success TrackerAI-powered personalised practice and doubt support. Unlimited practice on eligible plans; AI usage limits apply.MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyElectromagnetics
Electromagnetics
Last updated
Question
A uniform and constant magnetic field exists in the direction in vacuum. A particle of mass with a small charge is introduced into this region with an initial velocity . Given that and are all non-zero, which one of the following describes the eventual trajectory of the particle?
Correct answer
(A) Helical motion in the z direction.
Solution
The force on a charged particle in a magnetic field is given by the Lorentz force law: .Given:
- The component of velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field () experiences a force that is always perpendicular to it (in the -direction initially). This results in uniform circular motion in the plane.
- The component of velocity parallel to the magnetic field () experiences no magnetic force. Thus, the particle continues to move with a constant velocity in the -direction.
Continue learning with Success Tracker
A step still unclear? Work through it with support
Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE EC question to check your understanding.
AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans
- PYQs with solutions
- Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
- Practice that adapts
- Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
- AI doubt support
- Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.
Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.
This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.
More questions on Electromagnetics
2026 Set 1 Q21Consider the Friis' transmission equation , where…2026 Set 1 Q24The electric field of a monochromatic plane wave travelling in a lossless isotropic and homogenous…2026 Set 1 Q28Which option(s) represents/ represent the dielectric loss tangent of a substrate?2026 Set 1 Q33The cutoff frequency (in GHz) for the dominant mode of an air-filled rectangular…2026 Set 1 Q34For a lossless passive two-port network, and intersect at -3 dB. For a lossy…