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Suppose there is a uniform magnetic field everywhere in the space in -z axis direction. And suppose there is a particle at rest with respect to our reference-frame. The arrangement is shown in the figure :

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Now, suppose our reference frames starts moving to the right with a constant velocity. The charged particle would appear to be moving to the left with the same velocity. Now, will there be any magnetic force acting the the charged particle ?

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Yes, a magnetic force will appear, for the frame independent quantity is not the magnetic, but the Lorentz force. An electric field will appear as a consequence, so that the particle is subject to the same force in both frames.

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  • $\begingroup$ so, the particle will still only move because of the relative motion, because other forces (magnetic and electric) will cancel each other ? $\endgroup$
    – 0xVikas
    Apr 12, 2018 at 14:08
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    $\begingroup$ Yes, no acceleration will appear. $\endgroup$
    – Othin
    Apr 12, 2018 at 14:19
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you, But can you give me much more details ? Like mathematical description ? $\endgroup$
    – 0xVikas
    Apr 12, 2018 at 15:59
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    $\begingroup$ The math comes down to the transformation of the electromagnetic field components under a Lorentz transformation. When you change between inertial frames, those components change according to certain formulas. Letting the velocity be in the x-direction, the formulas can be found in table 26.2 from the link bellow (I would write them here but I'm typing from my phone, in which I find them hard to type) Noting that all components except Bz were zero, try to use them to calculate the Lorentz force. feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/II_26.html $\endgroup$
    – Othin
    Apr 12, 2018 at 20:48
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you for clarifying my doubts ! It was really helpful. $\endgroup$
    – 0xVikas
    Apr 13, 2018 at 9:43

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