Lorentz force

noun

, Electricity.

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

Lorentz force

1. 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.
2. See also electromagnetism

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lorentz force¹

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

Example Sentences

That creates a force - called the Lorentz force - which acts on the sea water and propels the craft along.

From BBC

Drugs can be delivered through the skin using Lorentz force, which combines electric with magnetic forces to shoot through the vaccine into the body.

From Salon

The electrified tether’s interactions with Earth’s magnetic field produce an impetus known as the Lorentz force, which pushes on the tether in a perpendicular direction.

From Scientific American

He is not averse to making protests: “I don't recognize any of this. I thought you said we were going to get the Lorentz force law.”

From Nature

To understand the Lorentz force, suppose a charged particle moves through electric and magnetic fields.

From Science Magazine