Magnetic force Particle trajectory

AI Thread Summary
A charged particle moving in a magnetic field is deflected downward and will strike the bottom plate before exiting the region between two plates. The discussion involves calculating the distance from the left end of the plate to the point where the particle strikes. Initial calculations assumed a constant downward force, but it was clarified that the particle follows a circular path due to the magnetic field. The correct approach involves using the radius of curvature to determine the impact point, leading to a revised formula for the distance. The final consensus is that the radius method is necessary for accurate distance calculation.
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Homework Statement



A particle of charge −q is moving with a velocity \vec{v}. It then enters midway between two plates where there exists a uniform magnetic field pointing into the page, as shown in attached image.

1.png
(b) Compute the distance between the left end of the plate and where the particle strikes

Homework Equations



\vec{F_{B}} = q\vec{v}\times\vec{B}

The Attempt at a Solution



I discovered that the charged particle is going to be deflected downward. Then it is going to strike the bottom plate before leaving the region between two plates. So the distance between the end of the bottom plate and where the particle strikes is what this problem is asking for.

See the following attached image.
2.png
y = yo -\frac{1}{2}at^{2}

y = 0 because it strikes the end of the plate.
y_{0} = \frac{d}{2}

so t = \sqrt{da}

\vec{F_{B}} = q\vec{v}\times\vec{B}

to find the magnitude of acceleration:ma = qvB

a = \frac{qvB}{m}

then t = \sqrt{d\frac{qvB}{m}}

x = x_{0} + v_{0}t

x_{0} = 0

x= v_{0}t

because v_{0} = v

x = v\sqrt{d\frac{qvB}{m}}Then the distance is l- v\sqrt{d\frac{qvB}{m}}Is that correct? cause i have feeling that it is wrong.
 
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I only skimmed, but I think you have assumed that the deflecting force always acts in the -y direction. Recall - a charge moving in a uniform/constant magnetic-field follows a circular path. So ... what kind of acceleration would that be and what is it's relationship to the radius of the circle?
 
i could do it by the radius too.

2.png


m \frac{v^{2}}{R} = qvB

so R = \frac{mv^{2}}{qvB}


R^2 = (R- \frac{d}{2} )^{2} + x^{2}


x^{2} = Rd - (\frac{d}{2})^{2}

x^{2} = d\frac{mv^{2}}{qvB} - (\frac{d}{2})^{2}

x = \sqrt{d\frac{mv^{2}}{qvB} - (\frac{d}{2})^{2}}

Then the distance is l - x = \sqrt{d\frac{mv^{2}}{qvB} - (\frac{d}{2})^{2}}
 
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Compute the distance between the left end of the plate and where the particle strikes
 
Simon Bridge said:
Compute the distance between the left end of the plate and where the particle strikes

That's the problem. I am not understating what the problem is asking for.
 
The bottom plate is the one that is going to be hit.
The bottom plate has two ends.
One end is on the left of the picture, the other is on the right.
Which end did you measure distance from (per your diagram)?
What is the length ##x## on your diagram?

Also - the last line in your calculations (post #3) does not follow from the previous line.
 
Simon Bridge said:
The bottom plate is the one that is going to be hit.
The bottom plate has two ends.
One end is on the left of the picture, the other is on the right.
Which end did you measure distance from (per your diagram)?
What is the length ##x## on your diagram?

Also - the last line in your calculations (post #3) does not follow from the previous line.
oh right. I was calculating for the right end, not the left end.

so my x is the desired distance (distance between the end of the left x_{0} = 0 and where the particle hits the plate x.
 
Well done.
I used to get caught out by that sort of thing all the time :)
 
Simon Bridge said:
Well done.
I used to get caught out by that sort of thing all the time :)

Thanks for your time. :)

just to make sure. i can not find the distance doing the calculation of the first post. I have to use the radius (post 3).
 
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