Instructions
The diagram above is a motion diagram for a positively charged object that is moving through an electric field (in Red) that is directed toward the top of the screen (direction 1) and a magnetic field (in Green) that is directed out of the page. The circles in the diagram are 'trail markers' that reveal the path that the object follows. The time interval between successive trail markers is always the same. Four of the trail markers are highlighted and labeled A, B, C and D.
At each of the labeled trail markers, use the table underneath the motion diagram to indicate:
• the direction of the velocity of the object,
• whether and how the speed of the object changes (i.e., whether the object is speeding up, slowing down, moving at constant speed, has maximum or minimum speed or is turning around).
• the direction of the acceleration of the object,
• the direction of the electric force acting on the charged object,
• the direction of the magnetic force acting on the charged object,
• the direction of the net force acting on the charged object, and
Refer to the ‘Direction Key’ to specify a direction. Refer to the ‘Speed Change Legend’ to specify whether and how the speed of the object is changing.
©2017 by Mark D. Somers
Mesa Community College
Mesa, Arizona 85202