Chapter 16 Question 2
 
a. The singly-charged ions of an isotope are performing circular motion with different speeds in a uniform magnetic field. Show that their rates of revolution are the same. Explain how you would compare their speeds of motion from the radii of their paths. 3 marks
 
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Consider a charged particle of mass m moving in a magnetic field of flux density B and at right angles to the field lines. Suppose the speed of motion is v. The magnetic force is
 
The force does not change the speed but would change the direction. As a result the particle performs circular motion. FB provides the centripetal force:
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where r is the radius of the path.
The period of motion is given by simplifying (2):
Thus, T is independent of speed. Ions of the same isotope has the same mass. Thus, all ions move with the same period. 1
From equation (2), the radius of the path is
 
Thus, ions with higher speed move in a larger circle. 1
b. A charged particle is projected with an initial velocity v in a uniform magnetic field, making an angle q with the field lines. Discuss how the energy of the particle changes with time. Using a diagram, give a detail account on the movement of the particle in the magnetic field. 6 marks
 
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The velocity can be resolved into two components: one parallel to (v//) and the other perpendicular (wpeC.jpg (773 bytes))to the field lines.
v// is unaffected because the magnetic force is zero. 1
wpeD.jpg (773 bytes) has a constant magnitude but varying in direction because the motion is circular. 1
Thus, the kinetic energy of the particle is unchanged. 1
The path of the particle is a helix as shown above. 1
c. If the magnetic field in (b) is superimposed by a uniform electric field at right angles to the magnetic field and the particle is projected so that its velocity is perpendicular to both the electric and magnetic fields, show that it is possible for the particle to move in a straight line, draw a clear diagram showing the forces acting on the particle and derive an expression for the required projection speed vo. Describe the path of the particle if the projection speed is
i)    greater than vo
ii)     less than vo. 5 marks 
 
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The electric force acting on the charged particle is downward:
  0.5
The magnetic force acting on the charged particle is upward:
  0.5
If the electric and magnetic forces balance, FE = FB, then the path is a straight line.
For this to occur, the required speed is
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d. Very hot plasma can be trapped inside a container without physical walls. Explain how this is accomplished. 2 marks 
 
c16.2.5.gif (4453 bytes)
Strong magnetic field can be set up as shown above. Charge particles moving at right angle to the field lines would be deflected in semi-circular path. In this way, the particle is reflected as if it strikes on a solid wall.
 
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