Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Cyclotron Motion


Cyclotron Motion
A particle moving perpendicular to a constant magnetic field undergoes uniform circular motion at constant speed, v.
Thus, the magnetic force due to the external field produces a centripetal acceleration.

Fmag = qvB = mac
Fmag = m(v2/r)
Since cyclotron motion occurs when particle is traveling perpendicular to field:
qvB = mv2/r
rcyc = mv/qB
rcyc = mv/qB
From this expression it is possible to obtain the charge to mass ratio, which is the topic of Fridays lab:
q/m  =  v/rcyc B
rcyc = mv/qB
In practical applications,  B can be set to an appropriate value.  The particle speed can be controlled by use of a known ∆V, to accelerate the particle.  

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