How Does a Particle Maintain Constant Velocity in a Pure Magnetic Field?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the motion of a particle in a purely magnetic field, specifically focusing on how it maintains constant velocity while traveling in a circular path in the x-y plane. Participants are examining the implications of the Lorentz force and the role of drift velocity in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive the average velocity of the particle and are discussing the relationship between circular motion and the Lorentz force. There are questions about the necessity of using trigonometric functions and how they relate to the equations of motion. Some participants are questioning the presence of an electric field in a purely magnetic scenario and the implications of drift velocity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have provided insights into the equations of motion and the role of the drift frame, while others are seeking clarification on the assumptions regarding the electric field and drift velocity. There is no explicit consensus yet, but several productive lines of inquiry are being pursued.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating constraints such as the assumption of no electric field in a purely magnetic context and the implications of averaging over time. The reference to results from part c) is also a point of discussion, as participants seek to understand its relevance to the current problem.

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Homework Statement



In a purley magnetic field B, motion of particle in x-y plane is circle; use this property, with result from part c to show on average the particle travels with constant velocity U:
(answer given): U=(1/B^2)*B*(B*Vo)+Vdrift
where Vdrift=(1/B^2)(ExB)

Homework Equations


"x" implies cross product
E=0i+Ej+0k
B=0i+0j+Bk
F=q(E+VxB)
results from Part c) showed by Galilei transform:
E'=(E+UxB)
V'=(V-U)

The Attempt at a Solution



Well right now I'm solving for U. I also have the answer so I've plugged in vdrift and try to work that out, usually "show" means working backwards in this course. I am not sure if I should use trig functions for the circle, I mean, it says to use that property of pure magnetic field, I know at one point i have to incorporate the trig rotation because in part f it says my x(t) and y(t) are sin and cos functions.
 
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ok

well I'm a little farther, the equations of circular motion are what I'm having a little problem with, do they depend on the lorenz force? or is it just:
Wc= Omega Cyclotron
Components:
V'x=WcVy
V'y=-WcVx

With these I can de-couple the equation, but with the equation of motion dependent on the lorenz force i get V'y=(q/m)(E-BVx) and i do not know if i can decouple these because it is two terms...

i think obvious solution to use is u=v-v' so I'm looking for these two i guess? but it says to use result from part c) that E'=(E+UxB) , but i got this from the u=v-v' relationship so i think this is "'the result" i should be using??
 
ok so pure magnetic field means no E? there is E in Vdrift so i wonder if E stays in equation of motion
 
ok, well i found in this forum somewhere that E'(y)=V*B'(z), is that right?
 
I don't know why the given answer has a drift speed coming from an E-field, when the problem states that there is no E-field. Also, what is the "result from part c"?

A particle traveling along a circle clearly can not have a constant velocity. The simplest way to show that it has a constant speed is to show that the net force on the particle is normal to its velocity, and this is trivially true for this problem.
 
ok

ok, I did state what the result from part c) is in the problem: results from Part c), I showed by Galilei transform:
E'=(E+UxB)
V'=(V-U)

right now I am working in the drift frame, so maybe that's why the extra term is there, but I emailed my professor and asked him the same question Gokul43201 asked (why is there an E in purely magnetic field and where does Vdrift come from), have no response

I thought "on average" might imply some sort of average value function that should be applied? that's what the answer looks like now that i think about it. an integral of (1/B) might return a (1/B^2) function,

the next two steps are integrating equations of motion in lab frame (no drift) and finding V(t), r(t), but these two X(t) and Y(t) also incorporate a Vdrift as coefficient before the trig functions, this Vdrift takes the place of Vo, but Vo is said to be zero in lab frame? this is kindove off topic, but gives some insight into the two different situations.
 
ok, so i use rule A(dot)B = |A||B| cos(theta) and show theta at 90 always?
 

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