Positron in a magnetic field help

In summary, JaeSun was reading about circulating charges and was lost on how to find the radius of the helical path. She was helped by someone who told her to use the kinetic energy formula to find v. The mass of a positron is 22.5 eV.
  • #1
JaeSun
37
0
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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  • #2
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??!
 
  • #3
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.
 
  • #4
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.
 
  • #5
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.
 
  • #6
so what's the mass? 22.5 ??
 

1. What is a positron?

A positron is a subatomic particle with the same mass as an electron, but with a positive charge. It is the antiparticle of the electron, meaning they have opposite charges but the same mass.

2. What is a magnetic field?

A magnetic field is a region in space where a magnetic force can be observed. It is created by moving electric charges, such as electrons or positrons, and can be visualized using magnetic field lines.

3. How does a positron behave in a magnetic field?

When a positron enters a magnetic field, it experiences a force due to its positive charge and the magnetic field. The force causes the positron to move in a circular or helical path perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.

4. What is the purpose of using a magnetic field with positrons?

The purpose of using a magnetic field with positrons is to manipulate and control their movement. This is important in various scientific experiments and applications, such as in particle accelerators or in medical imaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET).

5. How can a positron in a magnetic field help in understanding subatomic particles?

By studying the behavior of positrons in a magnetic field, scientists can gain insights into the properties and interactions of subatomic particles. This can help in understanding fundamental forces and phenomena in the universe, such as the behavior of matter and antimatter or the structure of atoms.

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