Analyzing the Setup
Imagine an electron cruising along the positive x-axis
It's moving freely with a speed u until it crosses the y-axis and enters a new region. In this region (x>0), there is a uniform magnetic field pointing directly into the page, represented mathematically as B=−B0k^.
We need to figure out two things when the electron eventually exits this magnetic field region: its final speed v and the sign of its y-coordinate.
The Speed of the Electron
Let's tackle the speed first
One of the most fundamental properties of the magnetic force is that it always acts perpendicular to the velocity of the moving charge.
Because the force is perpendicular to the displacement at every instant, the work done by the magnetic field on the electron is exactly zero. According to the work-energy theorem, if no work is done on an object, its kinetic energy cannot change.
If the kinetic energy remains constant, the speed must also remain constant. Therefore, the electron will exit the magnetic field with the exact same speed it had when it entered.
The Trajectory and Exit Coordinate
Now, let's determine where the electron goes
We use the Lorentz force equation to find the direction of the force acting on the electron the moment it enters the field:
Let's plug in what we know. The velocity is v=ui^, the magnetic field is B=−B0k^, and the charge of an electron is q=−e.
First, let's evaluate the cross product: i^×k^=−j^.
Fm=−e(−uB0(−j^))=−e(uB0j^)=−euB0j^
The resulting force is in the −j^ direction, which means it points downwards along the negative y-axis.
This downward force acts as a centripetal force, causing the electron to curve downwards into a circular path. Since the magnetic field only exists for x>0, the electron will trace out a semicircle in the clockwise direction.
When it completes this semicircle, it will cross the y-axis again to exit the magnetic field. Because it was forced downwards from the origin (y=0), it will inevitably exit at a point where the y-coordinate is negative.
Final Conclusion
Combining our two findings, we know that the speed remains unchanged (v=u) and the exit point is below the x-axis (y<0)
This perfectly matches option (d).