Magnetic fields (A-level only)

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Question 53
Medium

An alpha particle (α) is accelerated in a cyclotron consisting of two D-shaped regions separated by a small gap. A constant magnetic field acts perpendicularly to the plane of the 'Dees', while an alternating electric field in the gap provides the acceleration. Diagram of a cyclotron showing two hollow semi-circular D-shaped electrodes. An alpha particle starts at the center and follows a spiral path of increasing radius as it crosses the gap multiple times. Arrows indicate the path circles clockwise. Circular magnetic field lines are directed upwards out of the page.

1.

Explain why the magnetic field cannot change the kinetic energy of the alpha particle while it is inside a D-shaped region.

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2.

Show that the time interval Δt for the alpha particle to complete one semi-circular path in a Dee is independent of its speed.

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3.

The cyclotron is used to accelerate alpha particles to a maximum trajectory radius of 0.62 m. The magnetic flux density is 0.38 T. Calculate the maximum velocity of an alpha particle as it exits the device. Take the mass of an alpha particle as 6.64×10−276.64 \times 10^{-27}6.64×10−27 kg and its charge as 3.20×10−193.20 \times 10^{-19}3.20×10−19 C.

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Magnetic fields (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
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