Particle in a circular path due to magnetic field

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the velocity and radius of a proton moving in a magnetic field using the correct equations. The initial formula presented for velocity, v = sqrt((2 * charge of proton * 3000/e) / (mass of proton), is critiqued for improper unit conversion and terminology. Participants clarify that 'e' represents the elementary charge, and the energy should be expressed in joules rather than electron-volts (eV). The correct approach involves converting eV to joules by multiplying by the charge, leading to the formula v = sqrt(2 * energy / mass). Misunderstandings about the application of potential versus energy in the equations are addressed, emphasizing the importance of proper unit conversion.
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Homework Statement
What will be the radius of curvature of the path of a 3.0-keV proton in a perpendicular
magnetic field of magnitude 0.80 T?
a . 9.9 mm <-- answer
b. 1.1 cm
c. 1.3 cm
d. 1.4 cm
e. 7.6 mm
Relevant Equations
v = sqrt( (2 * q * potential) / mass)
mv/bq = r
v = sqrt( (2 * charge of proton * 3000/e) / (mass of proton))
v = 1.893986024 x 10^`15
r = ( (mass of proton) * (velocity) ) / ((magnetic field) * (charge of proton))
r = 24715769.68 m

Anyone please help
 
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Check your units!
 
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fight_club_alum said:
Relevant Equations: v = sqrt( (2 * q * potential) / mass)
mv/bq = r

v = sqrt( (2 * charge of proton * 3000/e) / (mass of proton))
v = 1.893986024 x 10^`15
r = ( (mass of proton) * (velocity) ) / ((magnetic field) * (charge of proton))
r = 24715769.68 m

Anyone please help
What is 'e' in the formula for the speed? What is the unit of speed you got?
 
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ehild said:
What is 'e' in the formula for the speed? What is the unit of speed you got?
e is the charge of the electron on the constant list in the calculator, which is the same as the proton without the sign
 
fight_club_alum said:
e is the charge of the electron on the constant list in the calculator, which is the same as the proton without the sign
Why did you divide by it?
 
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ehild said:
Why did you divide by it?
to convert from ev to v. Am I correct?
 
The answer comes out if I convert the ev to joule and work normally using the kinetic energy equation 1/2 m v^2 = E
But what is the mistake when I use the other equation?
 
fight_club_alum said:
to convert from ev to v. Am I correct?
No. The conversion happened when you multiplied the potential difference with q.
1 eV = Potential difference multiplied by the elementary charge e (which is equal to q in your case)
 
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I'm sorry but I don't understand
is v = sqrt( (2q(potential)/ mass)
If yes
isn't ev/electron charge = volt
Thank you
 
  • #10
fight_club_alum said:
The answer comes out if I convert the ev to joule and work normally using the kinetic energy equation 1/2 m v^2 = E
But what is the mistake when I use the other equation?
That equation is wrong as you multiplied and divided the eV-s by the elementary charge.
 
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  • #11
So, the equation should be v = sqrt( (2 * q * ev ) / mass)
 
  • #12
fight_club_alum said:
I'm sorry but I don't understand
is v = sqrt( (2q(potential)/ mass)
If yes
isn't ev/electron charge = volt
Thank you
The equation 'v = sqrt( (2q(potential)/ mass)' is wrong. Instead of 'potential' it must be energy, but you have the energy in eV-s here, which converts to joules, if you multiply the potential value (3000) with the electronic charge.
If an electron or proton travels across a potential difference of U Volts, it gains e U kinetic energy. But we say that it gained U eV energy. So we measure energy by the potential difference which would accelerate the electron/proton to that energy.
 
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  • #13
ehild said:
The equation 'v = sqrt( (2q(potential)/ mass)' is wrong. Instead of 'potential' it must be energy, but you have the energy in eV-s here, which converts to joules, if you multiply the potential value (3000) with the electronic charge.
If an electron or proton travels across a potential difference of U Volts, it gains e U kinetic energy. But we say that it gained U eV energy.
thank you
so the right one should be
v = sqrt ( (2 * e * (3000e) / (Mass of proton) ) <--- e is just the charge of the proton
 
  • #14
ehild said:
The equation 'v = sqrt( (2q(potential)/ mass)' is wrong.
It is not wrong, but eV is not a unit of electric potential, it is an energy unit, ie, the value given is the charge multiplied by the accelerating potential. In fact, there is no reason to even talk about an accelerating potential here as it does not matter how the proton was accelerated. The only thing that matters is that it has a given kinetic energy.
 
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  • #15
fight_club_alum said:
thank you
so the right one should be
v = sqrt ( (2 * e * (3000e) / (Mass of proton) ) <--- e is just the charge of the proton
No. ##energy=0.5 mv^2 = 3000e##
So ## v=\sqrt{2*3000e/m}##
 
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  • #16
When I do this
v = sqrt ( 2 * e * 3000/ mass of the proton) <---- where e is the charge of the proton and 3000 is the ev I get the right answer
So normally I should use (ev) not v
 
  • #17
great! thank you so much
Sorry if I confused the whole forum
 
  • #18
fight_club_alum said:
When I do this
v = sqrt ( 2 * e * 3000/ mass of the proton) <---- where e is the charge of the proton and 3000 is the ev I get the right answer
So normally I should use (ev) not v
Yes, you get the speed from the kinetic energy, and you can measure energy in eV units, but it should be converted to joules, by multiplying the electron-volts by e. Here e is the elementary charge, not the charge of the particle in question.
If it was an oxygen ion with charge 2e, and energy 3000 eV, the energy in joules would be 3000*e again.
 
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  • #19
ehild said:
Yes, you get the speed from the kinetic energy, and you can measure energy in eV units, but it should be converted to joules, by multiplying the electron-volts by e.
Thank you
but
if I did this to convert ev to j
sqrt(2 * e * (3000e) / mass) <---- where e is the charge of a proton and 3000e is the ev to joule conversion
I get the wrong answer
 
  • #20
fight_club_alum said:
Thank you
but
if I did this to convert ev to j
sqrt(2 * e * (3000e) / mass) <---- where e is the charge of a proton and 3000e is the ev to joule conversion
I get the wrong answer
You multiplied by e twice. v=sqrt(2*energy/mass) and energy (in joules) = e*energy (in electron-volts)
 
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  • #21
Oh, I see what I've been doing
Thank you and sorry for taking too long
 
  • #22
You are welcome :smile:
 
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