The LHC accelerates protons to a speed of 0.999999991c around a 27km ring. Due to relativistic effects, their mass increases. Given that the magnetic fields used are 8T, calculate this mass. What is the total energy of an LHC beam containing 3e14 protons?

Balancing the centripetal force mv^2/r with the force experienced due to motion in a magnetic field qvB: m = qBr/v = qBC/2piv (C circumference). Putting in numbers: m = 1.83e-23 kg (~11,000 mass of proton at rest!). Energy of beam = Np * 1/2 m v^2 (Np number of protons). Again, using the numbers, we get energy = 2.4e8 J. This is equivalent to the energy a standard car (mass 1.5t) has when traveling at around 1300 mph! (I originally asked this in the question but I went over the character count!).

Answered by Tutor48526 D. Physics tutor

2414 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A simple pendulum is an example of a system in Simple Harmonic Motion, using conservation laws find a) the greatest speed of the bob and b) the magnitude of speed at a height of 1.0cm above the minimum point. Given it starts at rest, at a height of 20cm.


A ball is dropped from a 5.0m high window. Assuming air resistance is negligible, calculate the time taken for it to hit the ground.


Find an expression for the escape velocity of a test object.


What velocity should your boat have if you want to cross a 72m wide river in 6s by the shortest distance, with a 5 m/s downstream current?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences