[Charries]

OK - the answer to this question is downwards using FLHR



But i get a bit confused when the show positive charges- could they equally.

1. show electrons moving in the same direction as the attached image, and if so would the force still be downwards?

2. If they showed a wire in a circuirt with a cell, do I assume current flows from the larger | to the smaller | of the cell (hope you know what I mean), which will get me current direction.

[Pangol]

The direction of the current in Fleming's Left Hand Rule is conventional current. If you know how the relates to electron flow, you should be able to answer your first question.

In a circuit diagram, the longer bar represents the positive side of the cell, the shorter bar the negative. Again, if you know the definition of the direction of flow of conventional current, you should be able to answer your second question.

[Charries]

OK - conventional curent positive to negative, as a pd across plates would flow.

I can now answer my second question but not my first. Are you saying that if they stated the particle was negatively charged and pointing into the plane of the paper, I would reverse the direction (or are you simply saying they wouldn't show an electron?)

[Pangol]

(Original post by Charries)
Are you saying that if they stated the particle was negatively charged and pointing into the plane of the paper, I would reverse the direction

Yes, of course. You correctly say that conventional current flows from positive to negative. This is the opposite direction to the flow of electrons in a wire. Removing the wire, and just dealing with a flow of free electrons, doesn't change this. Electrons flow one way, conventional current flows the other way.

[Charries]

OK - thank you. If I see electrons moving in one direction, I change that direction and use Fleming. Ta.