The force which acts on a charged particle moving in an electromagnetic field. The electric component of the Lorentz force acts in the direction of the electric field. Its magnetic component has the direction perpendicular to both the velocity of the particle and the magnetic field. The formula for the Lorentz force can be expressed as follows:

F = q (E + v × B)

F is the Lorentz force, q is the charge of the particle; E is the electric field force, v is the velocity of the particle; B is the magnetic field force.

The existence of the Lorentz force means that charged particles react to the electromagnetic field, change the direction and character of their motion in its presence, and can be directed, accelerated or confined by the field.