Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 37 - The Foundations of Modern Physics - Conceptual Questions - Page 1121: 6

Answer

$\bf Smaller.$

Work Step by Step

We need to find the radius of curvature of both rays so we can answer which has a greater deflection. We know that the radius of curvature for a charged particle that is exposed to a magnetic field is given by $$r=\dfrac{mv}{qB}$$ So, $$\dfrac{r_{\alpha}}{r_{cathode}}=\dfrac{\dfrac{m_{\alpha}v_{\alpha}}{q_{\alpha}B}}{\dfrac{m_{cathode}v_{cathode}}{q_{cathode}B}}$$ where the two have the same velocity and are exposed to the same magnetic field. $$\dfrac{r_{\alpha}}{r_{cathode}}= \dfrac{m_{\alpha} }{q_{\alpha} } \dfrac{q_{e} }{m_{e} } $$ where $q_\alpha=+2e$, $q_e=-e$, $m_e=9.11\times 10^{-31}$ kg, $m_\alpha=4 \times 1.67\times 10^{-27}$ kg $$\dfrac{r_{\alpha}}{r_{cathode}}= \dfrac{4 \times 1.67\times 10^{-27} }{2e } \dfrac{e }{ 9.11\times 10^{-31}} =\bf 3666$$ $$r_\alpha\approx 3700\;r_{cathode}$$ The greater the radius of curvature, the smaller the deflection. This means that the deflection of an alpha particle by a magnetic field is smaller than the deflection of a cathode-ray particle.
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