A question about linear accelerator and relativistic momentum

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a linear accelerator (linac) that accelerates electrons to a specified energy, with a focus on calculating the speed of the electrons after traveling a short distance and determining the magnetic field required for their circular motion. The subject area includes concepts from relativistic physics and electromagnetism.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of electron speed after traveling 1 meter in the linac and the subsequent magnetic field required for circular motion. There is an examination of the equations used, particularly in the context of relativistic effects.

Discussion Status

Some participants have identified potential errors in calculations and assumptions, particularly regarding the velocity used in momentum calculations. There is ongoing exploration of the validity of equations in a relativistic context, with some participants suggesting corrections based on earlier calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of discrepancies between calculated values and those provided in an answer key, indicating possible misunderstandings or misapplications of relativistic principles. Participants are also questioning the appropriateness of certain equations for the scenario described.

jianghan
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A 3.2km linear accelerator(linac) accelerates electrons constantly down the linac,each electron will have 50GeV of energy at the exit point. what is the speed of the electron after going 1m down the accelerator? After electrons exit the linac,magnets are used to curve the electron beams. the radius of curvature is 280m,what is the minimum magnetic field needed?

I think i have a rough idea of how to do this question,but somehow my answers doesn't agree with the answer key!

i think as 2as=v2,energy of electron after going down 1m should be (1/3200)*50GeV,which is 2.5x10-12joules,using eqn for relativistic kinetic energy
KE=MC2/√1-V2/C2,V works out to be 0.99946c
up to here my result agrees with the answer key
then i calculated relativistic momentum of electron to be 8.31x10-21kgm/s using MV/√1-V2/C2.
using eqn r=MV/Bq,sub in r=280m,i get B=1.86x10-4Tesla while the answer is 0.597T ?
 
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The question asks for the speed of the electron after going 1m which you have calculated but then asks for the magnetic field needed after the electron exits the LINAC which is 3.2km. You have used the velocity for the first part which won't be correct.
 
jimbobian said:
The question asks for the speed of the electron after going 1m which you have calculated but then asks for the magnetic field needed after the electron exits the LINAC which is 3.2km. You have used the velocity for the first part which won't be correct.

yeah,thank you,i made a careless mistake here.but after i used the correct data i had v=0.9999c,relativistic momentum=8.89x10-26 and B field=1.98x10-9Tesla,which is even further off the answer of 0.597T,puzzling
 
can anyone tell me if the eqn R=mev/Bq for circular motion of charged particles in a magnetic field is valid in this relativistic case,i suspect that's where the problem in my solution lies
 
I did the question with that equation for R and got the given answer, can you show exactly what calculations you are doing at each step please - the value you have given for the momentum is incorrect (far too small)
 
oh i can get the correct answer now,i think the problem of my previous calculation is i used v value 0f 0.9999c to calculate γ(p=γmv),which i think is not accurate enough. later i used γ value i get from part 1 to calculate and get the correct p and B

Thank you very much for your help!
 
oh i can get the correct answer now,i think the problem of my previous calculation is i used v value 0f 0.9999c to calculate γ(p=γmv),which i think is not accurate enough. later i used γ value i get from part 1 to calculate and get the correct p and B

Thank you very much for your help!
 

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