Find distance proton moves between adjacent turns of helix

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A proton moving at 4300 m/s at an angle of 76.0° enters a magnetic field of 25x10^-6 Tesla, forming a helical path. The radius of the helix was calculated to be 1.74 m using the formula r = mvsin∅/qB. However, there was confusion regarding the correct component of velocity to use for calculating the distance between adjacent turns of the helix. The time for one complete turn was found to be approximately 0.002542 seconds, but the final distance calculation yielded incorrect results, indicating a misunderstanding of the velocity component in the circular motion. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly applying the physics equations related to circular motion and magnetic forces.
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Homework Statement


A proton moves with a speed of 4300 m/s in a direction 76.0° above positive x axis. It enters a region where a magnetic filed of 25x10^-6 Tesla exists in the positive x direction. Find the radius of the helix formed by the protons path and the distance between adjacent turns of helix.

To find the distance, I'm not sure. I know I need to find distance around and time it takes for a complete circle.


Homework Equations



Force of mag. field = qvsin∅B
F=qvsin∅B=ma
F= qvsin∅B = mv^2/r

r = mvsin∅/ qB

v = 2∏r/t

t = 2∏r/v


xf=xi + vt
vyfinal = vyinitial + at



The Attempt at a Solution



r = (1.67*10^-27 * 4300sin76°) / (1.602*10^-19 * 25*10^-6)
r = 1.74m


t = 2∏r/v
t = .002542s

so, vyfinal = vyinitial + at

xf = 0 + 4300m/s(.002542m)

xf = 10.9, which is NOT the answer.
 
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jburt said:

Homework Statement


A proton moves with a speed of 4300 m/s in a direction 76.0° above positive x axis. It enters a region where a magnetic filed of 25x10^-6 Tesla exists in the positive x direction. Find the radius of the helix formed by the protons path and the distance between adjacent turns of helix.

To find the distance, I'm not sure. I know I need to find distance around and time it takes for a complete circle.


Homework Equations



Force of mag. field = qvsin∅B
F=qvsin∅B=ma
F= qvsin∅B = mv^2/r

r = mvsin∅/ qB

v = 2∏r/t

t = 2∏r/v


xf=xi + vt
vyfinal = vyinitial + at



The Attempt at a Solution



r = (1.67*10^-27 * 4300sin76°) / (1.602*10^-19 * 25*10^-6)
r = 1.74m
Okay, you've used the velocity of the particle that is perpendicular to the field. Good. That should give you the correct radius.
t = 2∏r/v
t = .002542s
Something fishy here. Did you use the speed of the particle rather than its velocity component in the (moving) plane of the loop? Hint: The speed of the particle in the loop should be the same as that which was used in the calculation of the loop radius.
 
so I have Δy=vsin∅t + at^2

Δy= 2∏r

but vsin∅final = vsin∅initial + at

F = ma

qvsin∅B = ma

a = qvsin∅B/m

a = (25*10^-6T)(4300sin76m/s)(1.602*10^-19C)/ (1.67*10^-27kg) = 1.0006*10^7
t = vsin∅final/a = 4172.27/1.0006*10^7 = .000417s

xfinal = vinitial*t = 4300m/s*.000417s =1.793m but it's wrong according to my professors answers. 8-(
 
Last edited:
jburt said:
so I have Δy=vsin∅t + at^2

Δy= 2∏r

but vsin∅final = vsin∅initial + at
Can you add some explanation to the above formulas? What acceleration are you dealing with? As far as I can tell the only acceleration you need to worry about is that involved with the circular motion -- centripetal acceleration.
F = ma

qvsin∅B = ma

a = qvsin∅B/m

a = (25*10^-6T)(4300sin76m/s)(1.602*10^-19C)/ (1.67*10^-27kg) = 1.0006*10^7
t = vsin∅final/a = 4172.27/1.0006*10^7 = .000417s
I think you're missing a factor of ##2\pi## in the above calculation.
xfinal = vinitial*t = 4300m/s*.000417s =1.793m but it's wrong according to my professors answers. 8-(
The proton does not have the full speed of 4300m/s in the x-direction.
 
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