Can a charged particle move through a magnetic field without experiencing any force? If so, how? If not, why not?
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Textbook Solutions for University Physics with Modern Physics (1)
Question
Mass Spectrograph. A mass spectrograph is used to measure the masses of ions, or to separate ions of different masses (see Section 27.5). In one design for such an instrument, ions with mass m and charge q are accelerated through a potential difference V. They then enter a uniform magnetic field that is perpendicular to their velocity, and they are deflected in a semicircular path of radius R. A detector measures where the ions complete the semicircle and from this it is easy to calculate R. (a) Derive the equation for calculating the mass of the ion from measurements of B, V, R, and q. (b) What potential difference V is needed so that singly ionized 12C atoms will have R = 50.0 cm in a 0.150-T magnetic field? (c) Suppose the beam consists of a mixture of 12C and 14C ions. If v and B have the same values as in part (b), calculate the separation of these two isotopes at the detector. Do you think that this beam separation is sufficient for the two ions to be distinguished? (Make the assumption described in 27.59 for the masses of the ions.)
Solution
The first step in solving 27 problem number 78 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: Mass Spectrograph. A mass spectrograph is used to measure the masses of ions, or to separate ions of different masses (see Section 27.5). In one design for such an instrument, ions with mass m and charge q are accelerated through a potential difference V. They then enter a uniform magnetic field that is perpendicular to their velocity, and they are deflected in a semicircular path of radius R. A detector measures where the ions complete the semicircle and from this it is easy to calculate R. (a) Derive the equation for calculating the mass of the ion from measurements of B, V, R, and q. (b) What potential difference V is needed so that singly ionized 12C atoms will have R = 50.0 cm in a 0.150-T magnetic field? (c) Suppose the beam consists of a mixture of 12C and 14C ions. If v and B have the same values as in part (b), calculate the separation of these two isotopes at the detector. Do you think that this beam separation is sufficient for the two ions to be distinguished? (Make the assumption described in 27.59 for the masses of the ions.)
From the textbook chapter Magnetic Field and Magnetic Forces you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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