OCR A Level Physics

Revision Notes

6.5.7 Motion of Charged Particles in a B Field

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Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field

  • A charged particle in uniform magnetic field which is perpendicular to its direction of motion travels in a circular path
  • This is because the magnetic force F will always be perpendicular to its velocity v
    • F will always be directed towards the centre of the path in circular motion

Circular motion of charged particle, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

A charged particle moves travels in a circular path in a magnetic field

  • The magnetic force F provides the centripetal force on the particle
  • The equation for centripetal force is:

7.8.5 Centripetal Force Equation

  • Where:
    • F = centripetal force (N)
    • m = mass of the particle (kg)
    • v = linear velocity of the particle (m s1)
    • r = radius of the orbit (m)

 

  • Equating this to the magnetic force on a moving charged particle gives the equation:

Centripetal & Magnetic Force Equation

  • Rearranging for the radius r obtains the equation for the radius of the orbit of a charged particle in a perpendicular magnetic field:

Radius of Magnetic Circular Path Equation

  • This equation shows that:
    • Faster moving particles with speed v move in larger circles (larger r): r v
    • Particles with greater mass m move in larger circles: r m
    • Particles with greater charge q move in smaller circles: r ∝ 1 / q
    • Particles moving in a strong magnetic field B move in smaller circles: r ∝ 1 / B

  • The centripetal acceleration is in the same direction as the centripetal (and magnetic) force
    • This can be found using Newton's second law:

F = ma

Worked example

An electron with a charge-to-mass ratio of 1.8 × 1011 C kg1 is travelling at right angles to a uniform magnetic field of flux density 6.2 mT. The speed of the electron is 3.0 × 106 m s1.

Calculate the radius of the circular path of the electron.

Circular Magnetic Field Worked Example

Exam Tip

Make sure you're comfortable with deriving the equation for the radius of the path of a particle travelling in a magnetic field, as this is a common exam question.

Similar to orbits in a gravitational field, any object moving in circular motion will obey the equations of circular motion. Make sure to refresh your knowledge of these equations.

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