Angle of Deflection of an electron in an magnetic field

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the deflection angle (α) of an electron moving through a magnetic field after being accelerated by a voltage of 25 kV. The magnetic field strength is specified as 6 x 10-3 T, and the length of the magnetic field is 5 cm. The initial velocity of the electron is calculated to be 9.376 x 107 m/s, resulting in a Lorentz force of 9.001 x 10-14 N. The trajectory of the electron is described as an arc due to the limited length of the magnetic field, necessitating the calculation of the radius of curvature and the angle formed by the electron's path.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz force (q*(v x B))
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy and voltage relationship (0.5*m*v2=e*U)
  • Familiarity with circular motion and radius of curvature concepts
  • Basic trigonometry for angle calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the radius of curvature for charged particles in a magnetic field
  • Explore the relationship between magnetic field length and particle trajectory
  • Learn about the geometry of circular motion in magnetic fields
  • Investigate the effects of varying magnetic field strengths on electron deflection
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Physics students, educators, and researchers interested in electromagnetism and particle dynamics in magnetic fields.

Lunar_Lander
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Homework Statement



Electrons first run through an acceleration voltage of U = 25 kV before entering an homogenous magnetic field which is perpendicular to the electron beam (B=6*10-3 T). The starting velocity of the electrons shall be zero.

What is the deflection angle α, if the magnetic field has a length of 5 cm (This means that the magnetic field stretches out for 5 cm in front of the electron accelerator)?

Homework Equations



0.5*m*v2=e*U can be transformed to give the velocity of the electrons.

q*(v x B) is the Lorentz force. (Or also: FL = q*v*B)

The Attempt at a Solution



From the first equation I know that the velocity of the electron is 9.376*107 m/s. That gives a Lorentz force of 9.001*10-14 N. But how can I get the angle? I read somewhere that the tangent could be important, but I don't know how :(.
 
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What is the shape of the trajectory of a charged particle moving perpendicularly to a magnetic field? (Hint: in what direction does the force act on the particle?)
 
If you inject a charged particle into an magnetic field that is perpendicular to it, it will go around in a circle, with the Lorentz Force pointing "inside" the circle.

And in this case, we only get an arc and not a circle because the magnetic field is too "short" to make it go into a circle.

But I am still missing out the final idea on how to solve it, I can imagine some kind of triangle that you can form with one side being the lenghth of the B-Field and the hypotenuse being the arc. Or is that completely wrong?
 
Lunar_Lander said:
If you inject a charged particle into an magnetic field that is perpendicular to it, it will go around in a circle, with the Lorentz Force pointing "inside" the circle.

And in this case, we only get an arc and not a circle because the magnetic field is too "short" to make it go into a circle.

But I am still missing out the final idea on how to solve it, I can imagine some kind of triangle that you can form with one side being the lenghth of the B-Field and the hypotenuse being the arc. Or is that completely wrong?

You'll want to determine the radius of the arc that the electron will follow. Take the center of that circle (which the arc is part of) as the center of an x-y coordinate system. You should be able to determine the point where the arc and boundaries of the magnetic field intersect. More importantly, ponder on the angle between the two radius vectors: 1) when the electron first enters the field, and 2) where the electron just leaves the field.

attachment.php?attachmentid=39952&stc=1&d=1318534244.gif
 

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I found it, thanks :)!
 

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