Charged particle in a cloud chamber?

AI Thread Summary
When a charged particle enters a magnetic field in a cloud chamber, it moves in a circular path due to the magnetic force acting as a centripetal force. This force is always perpendicular to the particle's velocity, which continuously alters its direction. The right-hand rule can be used to determine the orientation of this force. As a result, instead of traveling in a straight line, the charged particle follows a curved trajectory. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping the behavior of charged particles in magnetic fields.
chem_is_lovex
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Homework Statement


when a charged particle enters a magnetic field in a cloud chamber, why does it move in a circular path instead of straight line? I have no idea why. please help


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


it has something to do with the r changing? as I said, I have no idea.
 
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chem_is_lovex said:

Homework Statement


when a charged particle enters a magnetic field in a cloud chamber, why does it move in a circular path instead of straight line? I have no idea why. please help


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


it has something to do with the r changing? as I said, I have no idea.

Do you know the rules governing moving charges in uniform B fields and how the direction of the Force is oriented? Some use the right hand rule? Is this familiar?
 
As pgardn mentions above, a magnetic field interacts with a charged particle in quite a peculiar way. Similar to a ball being spun on a string, the magnetic field exerts a centripetal force to the component of the charge's velocity that is perpendicular to the field (whew. that sounded like a lot to digest!). What this basically means is that the magnetic force exerted on the charge always alters the charge's path, making it move in a circular path instead of a straight line.
 

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