Question:

Two parallel beams of protons moving in the same direction will:

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Both the electric repulsion and the magnetic attraction act. The magnetic force is smaller by v squared over c squared, so the beams repel.
Updated On: Nov 13, 2026
  • attract each other

  • repel each other

  • be deflected normal to the plane containing the two beams

  • not interact with each other

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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the question:
Two beams of protons travel in the same direction, side by side. Two kinds of force act between them, an electric one and a magnetic one.

Step 2: Electric force:
Protons carry the same charge, so each beam repels the other with an electric force.

Step 3: Magnetic force:
A moving beam of charges is an electric current. Parallel currents in the same direction attract each other. So the magnetic force is attractive.

Step 4: Compare the two forces:
For particles with speed \(v\) the ratio of the magnetic force to the electric force is \(\dfrac{F_m}{F_e} = \mu_0\epsilon_0 v^{2} = \dfrac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}\).
The speed \(v\) of the beam is far smaller than \(c\), so \(F_m \ll F_e\). The electric repulsion wins and the beams repel each other.

Step 5: Check the options:
(A) attract each other: only the weak magnetic force attracts, and it is beaten by the electric repulsion.
(B) repel each other: correct.
(C) deflected normal to the plane of the beams: the force between the beams acts in the plane of the two beams, along the line joining them.
(D) not interact: both forces exist, so they do interact.

Final Answer:
The beams repel each other. This is option (B).
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