Positron in a magnetic field help

AI Thread Summary
A positron with an energy of 22.5 eV is projected into a magnetic field of 455 µT at a 65.5-degree angle, prompting a discussion on how to calculate the period, pitch, and radius of its helical path. The key equation relating the magnetic force to centripetal acceleration is qvB = m(v^2)/r, but the velocity and mass of the positron are not directly provided. The positron's velocity can be derived from its kinetic energy using the formula K = (1/2)mv^2, with the positron's mass being equivalent to that of an electron. The positron's rest mass is noted to be 0.5 MeV, significantly larger than its kinetic energy. Clarification on these calculations is essential for solving the problem effectively.
JaeSun
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some more basic homework help!

can you guys point me in the right direction, where to start? (grrr, so freakin lost in this class)

11. A 22.5-eV positron (positively charged electron) is projected into a uniform magnetic field B = 455[mu]T with its velocity vector making an angle of 65.5 degrees with B (vector). Find (a) the period (b) the pitch p, and (c) the radius r of the helical path.

ill try and scan the diagram too

grr

thanks

im "learning" magnetic fields for this chapter.

here is the scan of the problem, and a figure to go with it:

http://storage.whiteazn.com/phy181_pr11.jpg
 
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was reading the chapter..and they had a section on circulating charges ... it had an equation relating qvB to centripetal acceleration of:

qvB=m(v^2)/r

problem is, in the question, to find r, we have to know v, which isn't given ?? and also, don't know the mass ?

grrrrr

any help!1??!
 
Originally posted by JaeSun
was reading the chapter..and they had a section on circulating charges ... it had an equation relating qvB to centripetal acceleration of:

qvB=m(v^2)/r

problem is, in the question, to find r, we have to know v, which isn't given ?? and also, don't know the mass ?

grrrrr

any help!1??!

I think you can find v from the energy of the positron by using the kinetic energy formula, since E = 22.5 eV << the positron rest mass (0.5 MeV). The mass is equivalent to the electron mass.
 
ehh?

is the kinetic energy formula:

K=(1/2)mv^2 ?

and still lost on this part:

since E = 22.5 eV << the positron rest mass (0.5 MeV). The mass is equivalent to the electron mass.
 
Originally posted by JaeSun
ehh?

is the kinetic energy formula:

K=(1/2)mv^2 ?

and still lost on this part:

since E = 22.5 eV << the positron rest mass (0.5 MeV). The mass is equivalent to the electron mass.


Yeah, that should be the right formula.

A positron basically is just an electron with a positive charge, so they have the same mass.
 
so what's the mass? 22.5 ??
 
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