Solving a Simple Problem: Frustration with Mechanics

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The discussion revolves around calculating the x component of the force on a charged particle moving through a magnetic field. The user struggles with determining the angle after the particle has traveled for 236 microseconds, given that it moves in a circular path. Key points include the use of circular motion kinematics to find the angle and the importance of understanding radians versus degrees for accurate calculations. The relationship between arc length and angle is emphasized, suggesting that the angle for one-third of a quarter circle is 30 degrees or π/6 radians. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in applying physics equations related to circular motion.
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Once again I can't seem to do this simple problem, not sure why.

hate mechanics :(

Homework Statement



Charged particle enters a region containing constant magnetic field and leaves it after 708 micro seconds, what is Fx, the x component of the force after being 236 micro seconds long in the constant magnetic field
Also it travels a quarter circle(not sure if the right word, basically a half of a semicircle)

we're given:

B=1.2 T
R=0.95 m
m=5.7*10^-8 kg

Homework Equations



ma=qvb

The Attempt at a Solution



I calculated the constant velocity when the charge is in the magnetic field, the only problem i have is calculating Vx and Vy after 236μsec, particularly i can't find the angle, one way i tried solving it is realizing that 236/708 is 1/3, so distance that particle has traveled is

(2piR/4)/3 which i found to be 0.49742...then idk, i thought maybe the angle would be 60 deg or 30 deg since it has traveled 1/3 of the way so i tried finding Vx=V*cos(30) or Vx=V*cos(60) but it didn't work out, i think i know that on halfway the angle is 45(Vx=Vy), but that's it, basically the equation i got is

Fx=m*(V*cos(theta))^2/R and I can't find theta :(
 
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When the particle enters the B field, it has circular motion.
So you can use the kinematics of circular motion to find the angle that rotates through by the time it leaves the field.
 
The force stays perpendicular to the motion so the speed stays constant. A quarter circle is 90 degrees so a third of it is 30 degrees.
 
Though you are encouraged to think of angles in radians.

The size of an angle is the distance around the circumference of a unit circle that is inside the angle.

The total distance around the whole circle is ##2\pi##.
A half circle is therefore ##\pi## and a quarter circle is ##\pi/2##.
The units here are "radius units" or "radians" for short.

Use these and a lot of physics equations will make more sense - like the arc-length inside angle ##\theta## at distance ##r## is ##s=r\theta##. If you used degrees you have to say that ##s=\pi r/180## .

A lot of trig starts to make sense as well ... like the tangent of the angle is the distance along the tangent to the unit circle that is inside the angle, and the sine is the length of the cord that is inside the angle.
 
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