Synchrotron Particle Accelerator: How Does It Work?

[Physics345]

Homework Statement

Examine the following diagram of a particle accelerator.[/B]

a) Give a brief explanation of how it works.
b) Describe what might happen to the particle accelerator if the magnetic field was too weak.
c) Describe one change to the electric field and one change to the magnetic field that must take place, as the particles gain energy.

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

a) Synchrotron accelerators take in particles, which are fired into them by linear accelerators such as protons. The particles rotate in a circular motion (caused by a electromagnets), which uses oppositely charged accelerating cavities to increase the acceleration of the particles. The magnets are set up in a circular pattern and in between them are accelerating cavities. In order to counter the effects of accelerating particles, the strength of the magnetic field is increased. Since the circular accelerators are large, energy is constantly added to the charged particles continuously moving around the circuit. The cavity behind the particle is similarly charged pushing the particle forward, and the cavity in front is oppositely charged pulling the particle forward. The overall goal is to accelerate the particles forward in their circular motion as fast as possible, which is close to the speed of light but never at the speed of light.

b) There will be an increase in the radius of the curvature caused by the accelerating particles, causing the particles to collide with the walls of the tube in the accelerator

c) The strength of the magnetic field must be increased in order to counter the effects of accelerating particles, otherwise the radius of the curvature will increase weakening the magnetic field therefore causing the particles to collide with accelerators tubing wall. With the increased speed of the particles, the charges in the cavities need to switch in correlation with the particles more quickly in order to synchronize with the increased speed of the particles otherwise the particles will slow down.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Gene Naden]

Hi there,
You wrote "With the increase of speed in the charged particles, the charges within the accelerator are switched quickly. " I am not sure what you mean here. What does it mean to say that the charges are switched quickly?

I think you are correct that with a weakening of the magnetic field, the radius of curvature will increase. Thus the particles will collide with the wall of the cavity in which they are supposed to be confined. However, I do not see that this will decrease the speed of the particles. In general, a magnetic field cannot change the speed of a particle, but only can change its direction.

You say that this will weaken the magnetic field. Actually, the magnetic field is not produced by the charged particles. Rather, it is produced by coils outside of the accelerating cavity.

Synchrotons were developed after cyclotrons. You might find it helpful to review the discussion of cyclotrons on Wikipedia, at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclotron

After you have looked at this, we can discuss point c.

Good luck,
Gene

 

[Physics345]

Hi there,
You wrote "With the increase of speed in the charged particles, the charges within the accelerator are switched quickly. " I am not sure what you mean here. What does it mean to say that the charges are switched quickly?

Yeah i meant to write "With the increase of speed in the charged particles, the charges within the cavities must be switched faster in accordance of the increase in speed."

 

[Physics345]

However, I do not see that this will decrease the speed of the particles.

I thought an increase in radius= a decrease in speed?

Also for b) according to your comments and some research, I have adjusted my answer to the following
There will be an increase in the radius of the curvature caused by the accelerating particles, causing the particles to collide with the walls of the tubes of the accelerator.

 

[Gene Naden]

No, I don't think this is correct. For the particles to slow down, something has to be done with the electric fields. Magnetic fields simply cannot change the speed of a particle because the force is always at right angles to the direction of motion. Again, I think you should have a look at the cyclotron article on Wikipedia that I gave the link for.

You wrote "the charges in the cavity must be switched faster." Again, I am not sure what this means. What does it mean to switch a charge. The charges are always the same. Like in a typical accelerator they are protons and their change does not change.

Keep at it!

 

[Physics345]

No, I don't think this is correct. For the particles to slow down, something has to be done with the electric fields. Magnetic fields simply cannot change the speed of a particle because the force is always at right angles to the direction of motion. Again, I think you should have a look at the cyclotron article on Wikipedia that I gave the link for.

You wrote "the charges in the cavity must be switched faster." Again, I am not sure what this means. What does it mean to switch a charge. The charges are always the same. Like in a typical accelerator they are protons and their change does not change.

Keep at it!

Will do, also what did you think of my adjustment of b)?
My statement " the charges in cavity must be switched faster" is because the charges in the accelerating cavity need to be adjusted to be line up with the particles passing by them otherwise the particles will slow down. Honestly, I don't know how to make this any clearer it's what my textbook is saying.

 

[Gene Naden]

I agree

 

[Physics345]

I agree

With what? I'm honestly very confused right now.

 

[Gene Naden]

I agree with your adjustment to b.

As the particles gain energy, the system must apply more force perpendicular to their motion, in order to keep them moving in a circle. Also, they will be going around the circle faster and faster, and the electric field must keep up.

 

[Physics345]

I agree with your adjustment to b.

As the particles gain energy, the system must apply more force perpendicular to their motion, in order to keep them moving in a circle. Also, they will be going around the circle faster and faster, and the electric field must keep up.

Yeah isn't that what the accelerating cavity does by emitting opposite charges and therefore accelerating the particles?

 

[Physics345]

Okay after taking a little break and eating something, my thought process has increased and I figured out the flaw with my previous statement.
Here is my new statement:
With the increased speed of the particles, the opposite charges that the accelerating cavities emit must be released in accordance to the increased speed of the particles otherwise the particles will slow down.

 

[Gene Naden]

Well I am glad you got a break and a snack!

I think you are still having difficulty. There are no "opposite charges" in the cavities. There are only protons, or whatever particles are being accelerated. Also, the particles will not tend to slow down. The main thing that has to be accomplished is that the accelerator has to keep them moving in a circle, or a constant radius. And to keep boosting them.

Also, you need to think about the name "synchroton." It comes from the word "synchronize." The electric fields have to be synchronized with the circular motion of the particles in order for them to do their work. The work of the electric fields is to deliver energy to the particles (that is, to make them move faster).

Speaking of breaks, I am going to take a shower and a shave as I look a fright. I will be back in about 15 minutes.

 

[Physics345]

Okay I figured out the mistake here after reading my text again.
With the increased speed of the particles, the opposite charges that the electromagnetic field emits must be released in a synchronized manner proportional to the particles increased speed otherwise the particles will slow down.
Do you approve!

Also, you need to think about the name "synchroton." It comes from the word "synchronize." The electric fields have to be synchronized with the circular motion of the particles in order for them to do their work. The work of the electric fields is to deliver energy to the particles (that is, to make them move faster).

Also on a side note this comment you made was very clear and precise, it gave me a better understanding.

 

[riders on the storm]

Homework Statement

Examine the following diagram of a particle accelerator.[/B]
View attachment 220768
a) Give a brief explanation of how it works.
b) Describe what might happen to the particle accelerator if the magnetic field was too weak.
c) Describe one change to the electric field and one change to the magnetic field that must take place, as the particles gain energy.

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

a) Synchrotron accelerators take in particles, which are fired into them by linear accelerators such as protons. The particles rotate in a circular motion, which uses oppositely charged accelerating cavities to increase the speed of the particles. The magnets are set up in a circular pattern and in between them are accelerating cavities. In order to counter the effects of accelerating particles, the strength of the magnetic field is increased. Since the circular accelerators are large, energy is constantly added to the charged particles continuously moving around the circuit. With the increased speed of the particles, the opposite charges that the accelerating cavities emit must be released in accordance to the increased speed of the particles otherwise the particles will slow down.. The cavity behind the particle is similarly charged pushing the particle forward, and the cavity in front is oppositely charged pulling the particle forward. The overall goal is to accelerate the particles forward in their circular motion as fast as possible which is close to the speed of light but never at the speed of light.

b) There will be an increase in the radius of the curvature caused by the accelerating particles, causing the particles to collide with the walls of the tubes in the accelerator.

c) The strength of the magnetic field must be increased in order to block the effects of accelerating particles, otherwise the radius of the curvature will increase weakening the magnetic field and reducing the speed of the accelerating particles. The use of the electromagnets must be used to curve the path of the particles into a circular rotation; also the oppositely charged accelerating cavities must be used to increase the speed of the particles.

Let me know what you guys think.

so wait the magnetic field is getting weaker or stronger
Some sort of laptop Atom in the sky working

The charges you need are - + from the magnetic field to do what you need

 

[Gene Naden]

Well I know you are working on this, hard, but the electric field doesn't emit charges. It pushes or pulls on charges. It pushes or pulls on the protons or whatever particles are being accelerated. There are two parts to the action:
1. The magnetic field acts to keep the motion of the protons in a circle. As the energy and speed of the protons increases, the magnetic field must be adjusted.
2. The electric fields are a matter of timing. They have to be syncnronized with the circular motion of the protons. Remember, the electric fields are "alternating." That is, they rapidly change in direction, first applying force in one direction and then in another.

Think about the protons as being in a "bunch." At any given moment in time, the protons are only on one side of the accelerator. Then, half a cycle later, they are on the other side. So the electric field has to be rapidly changing in order to always be pointing in the direction of motion of the charges.

It may help to try to make a diagram of the fields and forces involved.

Incidentally, I think this is a very hard problem for an introductory course!

 

[Gene Naden]

I am retiring for the night. I am sorry I couldn't bring you to a solution of this problem!

 

[Physics345]

Well I know you are working on this, hard, but the electric field doesn't emit charges. It pushes or pulls on charges. It pushes or pulls on the protons or whatever particles are being accelerated. There are two parts to the action:
1. The magnetic field acts to keep the motion of the protons in a circle. As the energy and speed of the protons increases, the magnetic field must be adjusted.
2. The electric fields are a matter of timing. They have to be syncnronized with the circular motion of the protons. Remember, the electric fields are "alternating." That is, they rapidly change in direction, first applying force in one direction and then in another.

Think about the protons as being in a "bunch." At any given moment in time, the protons are only on one side of the accelerator. Then, half a cycle later, they are on the other side. So the electric field has to be rapidly changing in order to always be pointing in the direction of motion of the charges.

It may help to try to make a diagram of the fields and forces involved.

Incidentally, I think this is a very hard problem for an introductory course!

Thank you I figured it out anyways, now I just need to work on c)
Good night.

 

[riders on the storm]

Well I know you are working on this, hard, but the electric field doesn't emit charges. It pushes or pulls on charges. It pushes or pulls on the protons or whatever particles are being accelerated. There are two parts to the action:
1. The magnetic field acts to keep the motion of the protons in a circle. As the energy and speed of the protons increases, the magnetic field must be adjusted.
2. The electric fields are a matter of timing. They have to be syncnronized with the circular motion of the protons. Remember, the electric fields are "alternating." That is, they rapidly change in direction, first applying force in one direction and then in another.

Think about the protons as being in a "bunch." At any given moment in time, the protons are only on one side of the accelerator. Then, half a cycle later, they are on the other side. So the electric field has to be rapidly changing in order to always be pointing in the direction of motion of the charges.

It may help to try to make a diagram of the fields and forces involved.

Incidentally, I think this is a very hard problem for an introductory course!

Well he need a - + charge from the magnetic field to work correct that should fix everything

 

[Gene Naden]

Fields don't produce charges.

 

[riders on the storm]

Fields don't produce charges.

you mean particles? to produce

 

[Gigaz]

Do you need in (a) an explanation for why there are extraction magnets and how they work? They are ultimately the whole point of building the synchrotron.

 

[Gene Naden]

Riders on the storm said "Well he need a - + charge from the magnetic field to work correct that should fix everything".
That makes no sense. Magnetic fields don't produce charges.

 

[Physics345]

I have turned to Khan Academy and my teacher, I've managed to figure out an answer thanks for all your help guys.

 

[riders on the storm]

Riders on the storm said "Well he need a - + charge from the magnetic field to work correct that should fix everything".
That makes no sense. Magnetic fields don't produce charges.

then how did the solar shield get atom working on the magnetic field

 

[Gene Naden]

Well, definitely magnetic fields don't produce charges. They only deflect charges.

What solar shield?

Thanks and regards,
Gene Naden

 

[riders on the storm]

Well, definitely magnetic fields don't produce charges. They only deflect charges.

What solar shield?

Thanks and regards,
Gene Naden

Well but there's a priority in the magnetic fields with Atom staying charged that's what i heard recent
I meant to say magnetic fields with solar shield
magnetic fields particles work with atom devices that have - + connection live particle infections like the blue particle virus