Electromagnet investigation lab assignment

[helpme2011]

Homework Statement

An alpha particle enters a uniform verical magnetic field of 1.0 T with a velocity of 2.0m/s East.
a) Find the force exerted on the particle by the field.
b) Find the acceleration of the particle.
c) Find the radius of curvature of the path of the particle.

Homework Equations

F= QvB ?

The Attempt at a Solution

B= 1.0 T
v= 2.0m/s
How do I solve it without given Q?

 

[SammyS]

What do you know about an alpha particle ?

 

[helpme2011]

Oh..I just googled it :S but does it have a charge of 3.2 x 10^-19 Coulombs? so would that just be my Q and plug that into the equation of F= QvB?

 

[SammyS]

Yes, an alpha particle is composed of two protons and two neutrons. The charge of a proton is 1.6*10^-19 Coulombs .

Force is a vector quantity, so presumably it should also have a direction associated with it.

 

[helpme2011]

Ok. Thanks! :)
and to find the radius, do i use the equation: a= v^2/r ?

 

[cupid.callin]

To find radius ... the magnetic force will act as centripetal force (mv²/r)...

 

[SammyS]

Ok. Thanks! :)
and to find the radius, do i use the equation: a= v^2/r ?

Yes. That should work. Also, cupid's idea is equally good.

 

[cupid.callin]

Also, cupid's idea is equally good.