# Magnetics and velocity

1. May 27, 2006

### Trista

Here is the problem:
A singly charged positive ion has a mass of 2.50 X 10 ^-26 kg. After being accelerated through a potential difference of 250 V, the ion enters a magnetic field of 0.500 T, in a direction perpendicular to the field. Calculate the radius of the path of the ion in the field.

I believe the formula to use is this: r = mv/qB
and it should look like this with what is given:
r = (2.5 X 10^-26 kg) v / (1.6 X 10^-19)(.50T)

if that is correct, the only thing I'm having trouble with is the velocity. How do I find the velocity?

if that isn't correct, then I'm lost.

2. May 27, 2006

### al_201314

Hi :)

The formula you stated is absolutely correct. To find the velocity after being accelerated, first you'll have to find the energy the ion has gained from rest to after being accelerated. Since the ion is singly charged, it carries a charge of 1.6 X 10 ^-19.

Energy gained by the ion = qV where q is the charge of the ion and V the P.D.

This value is equivalent to the KE gained by the ion which is = 1/2(m)(v)^2. You can then find the velocity. Should work out to approx 5.66 X 10^4 ms^-1

Last edited: May 27, 2006
3. May 28, 2006

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
Just to add to what al_201314 said, if the velocity was to become very close to the speed of light (c), you would have to use the equation for relativistic kinetic energy. However, as in this case the velocity is much less than c, using standard kinetic energy is a good approximation.

~H

4. May 28, 2006

### Trista

THANK YOU..... I got it. SO MUCH HELP!!!! thank you thank you thank you

Last edited: May 28, 2006
5. May 28, 2006

### al_201314

Is there a way to relate the classical 1/2m(v)^2 to E=m(c)^2? Does it mean to say that if the ion is moving close to the speed of light it will possess energy equivalent to its mass an the square of the speed of light? Why is this so since even a stationary mass will have energy according to E=m(c)^2?

Thanks for the help, these questions just got to me when I read your post and I do not have a deep understanding of relativity.

6. May 28, 2006

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
There most certainly is. The full equation for relativistic kinetic energy is given by;

$$E_{k} = \frac{m_{0}c^2}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2}}} - m_{0}c^2$$

Where $m_{0}$ is the rest mass of the object. Regarding you question;

See what happens to the above equation when you let v = 0.

E = mc2 takes into account both rest and kinetic energy; note however, that m is not the rest mass.

~H

Last edited: May 28, 2006
7. May 28, 2006

### al_201314

Thanks H~ for the explanation.