Acceleration of a Charged Particle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of a positively charged particle with a mass of 3.0 x 10^-12 kg and a charge of +6.4 x 10^-5 C, moving at a speed of 4.8 x 10^3 m/s in a 1.5 T magnetic field. The initial attempt to find acceleration using incorrect equations led to an erroneous result. The correct approach involves applying Newton's Second Law and understanding the magnetic force acting on the particle, specifically using the relationship qE = mv^2/r for circular motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (ΣF = ma)
  • Knowledge of magnetic force on charged particles (F = qvB)
  • Familiarity with circular motion equations (qE = mv^2/r)
  • Basic concepts of electric and magnetic fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the magnetic force equation F = qvB
  • Learn about the relationship between electric fields and charged particle motion
  • Explore the concept of centripetal force in circular motion
  • Review examples of charged particle dynamics in magnetic fields
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone interested in the dynamics of charged particles in magnetic fields.

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Homework Statement


A positively charged particle of mass 3.0 X 10 ^-12 kg and charge +6.4 X 10^-5 C is perpendicular to a 1.5 T magnetic field. If the particle has a speed of 4.8 X 10^3 m/s, the acceleration of the particle...?


Homework Equations


e = kg / r^2
qB = mv / r


The Attempt at a Solution



Given information:
m = 3.0 X 10 ^-12 kg
q = 6.4 X 10^-5 C
B = 1.5 T
v = 4.8 X 10^3 m/s

To find the acceleration, I started reading my book, and I found the equation:
q = mg / e
So if I rewrite this to find "g", it should be like this:
g = qe / m


BUT, I don't know e, so to find e (epsilon), I must first know the radius "r"
r = mv / qB
= (3.0 X 10 ^-12)(4.8 X 10^3) / (6.4 X 10^-5)(1.5)
= 1.5 X 10 ^-4 m

Now, I can find e:
e = kq / r^2
= (9 X 10^9)(6.4 X 10^-5) / (1.5 X 10^-4)^2
= 2.56 X 10^13 N/C

Now, I can find "g"

g = qe / m
= (6.4 X 10^-5)(2.56 X 10^13) / (3.0 X 10 ^-12)
= 5.46 X 10^20 m/s^2

But this is not the correct answer.

The correct answer should be one of the following:
3.4 X 10^-4
2.6 X 10^-20
1.5 X 10^11
1.5 X 10^-4
1.7 X 10^19

Someone please help me. I think there should be another way to do this. Please help me. Thank you.
 
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The relationships you are using are not correct in this case. The first one is the definition of an electric field (e stands for the electric field). The second is incorrect. "qB" is not a useful quantity. I think the relationship you were thinking of was qE=mv^2/r, which describes circular motion with the electric force as the centripetal force. Either way, it doesn't apply to this problem.

I think the best way to solve this would be to go back to fundamentals. Remember Newton's Second Law:

[tex]\Sigma F = ma[/tex]

You want the find a, you know the mass, m, and the force here is the magnetic force. HINT: Do you know a relationship to find the magnetic force on a particle moving through a constant magnetic field?

I hope this helped. If you need more help, I'll answer as soon as I can.
Good Luck!
 
Last edited:

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