Question

In a chamber, a uniform magnetic field of `6*5G(1G=10^-4T)` is maintained. An electron is shot into the field with a speed of `4*8xx10^6ms^-1` normal to the field. (i) Explain why the path of the electron is a circle. Determine the radius of the circular orbit. `(e=1*6xx10^(-19)C, m_e=9*1xx10^(-31)kg)`.

Answer 1

Here, `B=6*5xx10^-4T`, `v=4*8xx10^6m//s`, `e=1*6xx10^(-19)C`, `theta=90^@`, `m=9*1xx10^(-31)kg`, `r=?`
(i) Force on the moving electron due to magnetic field will be, `F=evBsin theta`.
The direction of this force is perpendicular to `vecv` as well as `vecB` therefore this force will only change the direction of motion of the electron without affecting its velocity i.e. this force will provide the centripetal force to the moving electron and hence, the electron will move on the circular path. If r is the radius of circular path traced by electron, then
`evBsin90^@=mv^2//r` or `r=(mv)/(Be)=((9*1xx10^(-31))xx(4*8xx10^6))/((6*5xx10^-4)xx(1*6xx10^(-19)))=4*2xx10^-2m=4*2cm`