Accelerating Ions through semicircular plates

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tmvphil
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Homework Statement


Hey guys, this is from Purcell 3.19
"Ions are accelerated through a potential difference [tex]V_0[/tex] and then enter the space between the semicylindrical electrodes A and B. Show that an ion will follow the semicircular path of radius [tex]r_0[/tex] if the potentials of the outer and inner electrodes are maintained, respectively, at [tex]2V_0*ln(b/r_0)[/tex] and [tex]2V_0*ln(a/r_0)[/tex]."


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Well i started with
[tex]q*V_0 = KE = (mv^2)/2[/tex]
so
[tex]V^2 = (2qV_0)/m[/tex]
which combined with the rotational motion eq
[tex]E = F/q = (mv^2)/(qr_0) = (2V_0)/r_0[/tex]
but i can't think of any way to pin down what the field is between the two cylinders.
just looking at the solution provided it seems like i should integrate the final equation for a variable r from b to r-nought and a to r-nought. I just don't know why. Any way to elucidate this for me?
 
Attachments
  • Diagram of two concentric semicircular electrodes with a radial dashed line marked R0 from the common center, labels A and B on the inner and outer arcs, and an ion stream entering from below at potential V = V0 relative to V = 0.
    purcell.png
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Last edited:
Attached a diagram (sorry for the paint) if it helps make it clearer