The solar wind is a thin, hot gas given off by the sun. Charged particles in this gas enter the magnetic field of the earth and can experience a magnetic force. Suppose a charged particle traveling with a speed of 7.25 x 106 m/s encounters the earth's magnetic field at an altitude where the field has a magnitude of 1.37 x 10-7 T. Assuming that the particle's velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field, find the radius of the circular path on which the particle would move if it were (a) an electron and (b) a proton.

Explanation:

Charge on the particle = 1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹ C

mass of electron = 9.1 x 10⁻³¹ kg

mass of proton = 1.67 x 10⁻²⁷ kg

A charged particle moves in a magnetic field on circular path  so that magnetic force = mv² /r

B q v = mv² /r , B is magnetic field

r = mv / qB

For proton

r = (1.67 x 10⁻²⁷ x 7.25 x 10⁶) / (1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹ x 1.37 x 10⁻⁷)

= 5.5 x 10⁵ m

For electron

r = (9.1 x 10⁻³¹ x 7.25 x 10⁶) / (1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹ x 1.37 x 10⁻⁷)

= 30.1 x 10

= 301 m

the entire statement is true and correct.  

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