Question

A metal is a conductor due to free electrons that can move if a force is applied to them. For instance, when you apply DC voltage to a metal wire, they start to flow in a direction opposite to the electric field, creating electric current. When they move, they experience a friction force proportional to their speed. Now imagine that a stationary open-ended metal wire is immersed into a uniform magnetic field B. Next, the wire starts moving side-ways with velocity v orthogonally to the magnetic field lines. What will be the effect of Lorentz force on free electrons? Will they arrive to an equilibrium state? If yes, which force will balance off the Lorentz force acting on the electrons in a wire moving with constant velocity across magnetic field?

Answer 1