Electronic – Why is the magnetic field perpendicular to the magnetic force

electromagnetism

In the case of the electric field, we define the field as the force at each point in space exerted on a unit charge. This is intuitive, as the field will give me a good idea of how a charge will move in space under the influence of the field. But in the case of the magnetic field, what is the significance in defining the magnetic field in a way such that we must take the cross product to find the magnetic force: $$F_B = qv \times B$$
Couldn't we define it in a way similar to the electric field, such that the magnetic force points in the same direction as the field? I understand that a charged particle follows a circular pattern under the influence of a steady magnetostatic field, so it may lead to simpler equations for B this way, but is this the only reason?

Best Answer

The equivalent for magnetic force would be \$F_M = q_mB\$ where \$q_m\$ is the magnetic charge, and the Lorentz force due to the interaction of an electric field and magnetic charge would involve the cross product - so it has a nice symmetry if magnetic monopoles exist.