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.

Answered by Gareth R. Physics tutor

4147 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe, using a diagram, the forces acting on the system of an object tethered to a string, rotating around a fixed point in free space. Will the string ever become horizontal?


How would you explain general relativity?


Describe how standing waves are formed and explain why nodes and antinodes are formed.


The speed of water moving through a turbine is 2.5 m/s. Show that the mass of water passing through an area of 500 metres squared in one second is about 1 x 10^6 kg (density of sea water = 1030 kg/m^3)


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