By referencing the magnetic field and the alternating potential difference explain how a cyclotron produces a beam of high speed particles.

The difference in potential between the two Ds of a cyclotron accelerate the particles across the gap. The direction of potential difference switches every half cycle to keep the particles accelerating. The magnetic field is a right angles to the path of the particles so keeps them in a circular motion within the Ds. As the particles gain energy and become faster the path radius increases until they are released as a beam when the energy is high enough.

GR
Answered by Gareth R. Physics tutor

5121 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Can you explain the Work-Energy principle and how you can apply it in a simple situation such as a box sliding down a rough slope?


A block of ice slides down the full height from one side of a 1m high bowl and up the other side. Assuming frictionless motion and taking g as 9.81ms-2, find the speed of the block at the bottom of the bowl and the height it reaches on the the other side.


Describe how emission spectra are formed and how they can be used to identify the elemental composition of a star.


Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit T² ∝ r ³ where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning