Lorentz force

noun Electricity.

the force on a charged particle moving through a region containing both electric and magnetic fields.

Origin of Lorentz force

First recorded in 1960–65; named after H. A. Lorentz

Scientific definitions for lorentz force

Lorentz force

The total force exerted on a charged particle by electric and magnetic fields. All charged particles encounter a force from an electric field, oriented in the direction of the field (or the opposite direction, depending on the sign of the charge), while moving charged particles also encounter a force oriented at a right angle to both the direction of motion and the magnetic field. The Lorentz force is the driving force in electromagnets and is responsible for the Hall effect. The Lorentz force is named for Henrik Lorentz. See also electromagnetism.