Helical Motion of Charged Particles: Characteristics & Sample Questions

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Jasmine Grover

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Helical Motion is the motion generated when one component of the velocity is constant in amplitude and direction which is straight-line motion and the other component is constant in speed but changes in direction evenly (circulation motion). Hence, it is the result of the combination of circular motion and straight-line motion.

Key Terms: Motion, Magnetic Fields, Helical motion of charged particles, Helical motion, Velocity, Straight-line motion, Amplitude, Speed, Circulation motion, Lorentz force, Magnetic fields, Centripetal force, Magnetic force


What is Helical Motion?

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The Helical motion occurs when the velocity vector is not perpendicular to the magnetic field vector. When a charged particle travels perpendicular to a uniform B-field, the simplest situation occurs. In the vacuum, the magnetic fields are the most vital element influencing the motion. The Lorentz force provides the centripetal force in this case, as

Fc = mv2/ r

Since here sin θ = 1

The magnetic force

F = qvB

Now, if the magnetic force provides the centripetal force, these forces must be equal as:

qvB = mv2 / r

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Why do charged particles move in a Helical Path?

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As soon as a charged particle enters a magnetic field (B) with some angle (θ), The velocity decomposes into parallel and vertical components B which are

v။ = v cosθ and v⊥ = v sinθ .

  • A Uniform magnetic field does not apply any force on the electron in the parallel direction as = 0 so F= ‖ qv‖ B sin 0 = 0.
  • Hence, the charged particle continues to move along the field direction with a motion in which speed and velocity are constant (Uniform Motion).

Helical Path

Helical Path

The above two motions are parallel to field B and uniform circular motion creates the actual path of charged particles in a uniform magnetic field B which is called a helical or a Spiral path.

Helical Path of Particles

Helical Path of Particles

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Characteristics of Helical Path

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The helical path has three different characteristics-

  • Radius
  • Time period
  • Pitch 

1. Radius

Force F丄 creates a circular motion that provides a centripetal force on the charged particle with acceleration ar = mv2⊥/R. By applying Newton’s second law of motion and balancing the centripetal force we get a formula for the radius of the helical path. Where m is the charged particle.

F = mar

qv⊥ B = m\(\frac{v^2}{R}\)

R = mv⊥/qB

= \(\frac{mv sin \theta}{qB}\)

2. Time Period

The time needed to complete one revolution is obtained by average velocity as

v = \(\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}\)

v 丄 = \(\frac{2 \pi R}{T}\)

T = 2πR / V⊥

=\(\frac{2 \pi R}{qB}m\)

We used the formula for R and v⊥ = v sin. This period is also called the cyclotron period.

3. Pitch of the Helix

Distance Traveled parallel to the Magnetic field in one resolution is called the pitch of the helix and is obtained as

 p = v ‖T

= (v cos θ) (\(\frac{2 \pi m}{qB}\)}

Hence, the formula for the pitch of the helix is p = \(\frac{2 \pi mv cos \theta}{qB}\)

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Things to Remember

  • A helical Path is formed when charged particles enter with an angle of = 90° in a uniform magnetic field. A circular motion is created.
  • When the particle's velocity has parallel components to the uniform magnetic field then it moves in a helical path.
  • When the particles move parallel, there is no force on the particle but in the perpendicular, there is a centripetal acceleration towards the center.

Previous Year Questions

  1. In moving coil galvanometer, strong horseshoe magnet of concave-shaped pole pieces is used to...[JIPMER 2006]
  2. An electric current I enters and leaves a uniform circular wire of radius r through diametrically opposite points. A particle carrying a charge q moves along the axis of the circular wire with speed v. What is the magnetic force experienced by the particle when it passes through the center of the circle?.. [DUET 2003]
  3. If only 2% of the main current is to be passed through a galvanometer of resistance G, the resistance of the shunt should be...[COMEDK UGET 2009]
  4. A voltmeter can read up to V volt. When the series resistance used in the voltmeter is doubled, the range of the voltmeter is...[COMEDK UGET 2010]
  5. A proton and helium nucleus is shot into a magnetic field at right angles to the field with the same kinetic energy. Then the ratio of their radii is...[COMEDK UGET 2014]
  6. A charged particle moves through a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to it. Then the...[BHU UET 2007]
  7. In a hydrogen atom, an electron of charge e revolves in an orbit of radius r with speed…? [MHT CET 2019]
  8. A beam of electrons is moving with constant velocity in a region having electric and magnetic…? [NEET 1996]
  9. A current-carrying coil is subjected to a uniform magnetic field. The coil will orient…? [NEET 1988]
  10. Does a current loop consist of two identical semicircular parts each of radius R, one lying in the…? [NEET 2010]
  11. Two streams of protons move parallel to each other in the same direction. Then these...[BHU UET 2009]
  12. In a region, a stationary charge does not experience a force. It is certain that in this region...COMEDK UGET 2008]
  13. A 10 eV electron is circulating in a plane at right angles to a uniform field at magnetic induction…? [NEET 1996]
  14. A coil of one turn is made of a wire of a certain length and then from the same length…? [NEET 1998]
  15. A conducting square frame of side 'a' and a long straight wire carrying current I are located…? [NEET 2015]
  16. A current carrying closed loop in the form of a right angle isosceles triangle…? [NEET 2011]
  17. A current loop in a magnetic field…? [NEET 2013]
  18. A deuteron of kinetic energy 50 keV is describing a circular orbit of radius 0.5 meters…? [NEET 1991]
  19. A galvanometer has a coil of resistance of 100ohm and gives a full-scale deflection for…? [NEET 2010]
  20. A galvanometer having a coil resistance of 60Ω shows full-scale deflection when a current…? [NEET 2009]

Sample Questions

Ques. Can a magnetic field accelerate a charged particle? Is it possible to enhance its speed? (3 marks)

Ans. The magnetic field accelerates the charged particle by way of altering its pace direction. The charged particle’s pace is unaffected with the aid of the magnetic discipline. The magnetic area has no impact on pace because it exerts a force perpendicular to the movement. As a result, The pressure can not accomplish paintings on the particle. As a result, the particle’s kinetic electricity cannot be changed. Therefore, it's miles unable to alter the rate.

Ques. An electron with a mass of 9.11 x 10-31 Kg and a charge of 1.6 x 10-19 C, is projected into a uniform magnetic field of 0.2T at a speed of 1.8 x 106 m/s in such a way that its velocity makes an angle of 37 degrees with the field lines. Find the pitch, period, and radius of the helical path of the electron. (5 marks)

Ans. The time period of Helix is-

T= \(\frac{2 \pi M}{eB}\)

=\(\frac{2(3.14)(9.11 * 10^{-31})}{(1.6 * 10^{-19}( 0.2)}\)

= 1.78 x 10-10 s

= 0.17 ns

The Pitch of the helical path is determined as-

p= \(\frac{2 \pi mv cos \theta}{eB}\)

= \(\frac{2(3.14) (9.11 * 10^{-31}) (1.8 * 10^6)cos 37 }{(1.6 * 10^{-19}) (0.2)}\)

= 0.257 mm

The radius of the helical path is determined as-

R= \(\frac{mv sin \theta}{eB}\)

= \(\frac{(9.11 * 10^{-31})(1.8 * 10^6) sin 37}{(1.6 * 10^{-19}) (0.2)}\)

= 0.193 mm

Ques. When a proton travels in a uniform magnetic field, its velocity changes but its kinetic energy does not. Why? (3 marks)

Ans. The magnetic force will be perpendicular to the direction of the proton’s tour. We know that after the force appearing is perpendicular to the course of the moving fee, the work carried out is zero. It suggests that kinetic strength remains constant. The pressure can alter the direction (velocity) of a proton but no longer its speed (importance). As a result, momentum and pace shift.

Ques. What is Lorentz Force? Explain. (3 marks)

Ans. Lorentz force, the pressure exerted on a charged particle q visiting with velocity v via an electric and magnetic area E and B. The Lorentz pressure named after the Dutch scientist Hendrik A. Lorentz is the total electromagnetic pressure F at the charged particle, and it's miles given via, 

F = qE + qv × B

The electric area contributes to the primary time period. The magnetic force, which has a course perpendicular to each the velocity and the magnetic field, is the second time period. 

  • Magnetic pressure is proportional to q in addition to the size of the vector move product v × B. 
  • The amount of the pressure equals qvB sin in phrases of the attitude between v and B.
  • The pace of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field is an exciting consequence of the Lorentz force. 
  • If v is perpendicular to B (i.E., there's a ninety° attitude among v and B), the particle will follow a circular trajectory with radius r = mv/qB. 
  • The particle orbit might be a helix with an axis parallel to the field strains if the attitude is less than 90°.
  • If ϕ is zero, there may be no magnetic pressure appearing at the particle, so that you can continue to tour along the sphere traces undeflected. 
  • Particle accelerators the use of charged particles, which include cyclotrons, take advantage of the truth that particles circulate in a circular orbit while v and B are at proper angles.

Ques. What is the motion of charged particles? (2 marks)

Ans. The Motion of Charged Particles in a Magnetic and Electric Field. The magnetic force becomes centripetal force because of its direction towards the circular motion of the particle. If the field and velocity are perpendicular to each other, the particle takes a circular path.

Formula - F = q(v x B).

Ques. Why do particles move in a helical path? (2 marks)

Ans. The velocity component is perpendicular to the magnetic field which creates a circular motion, Whereas when the component of the velocity is parallel to the field it moves the particle along a straight line. The pitch is the horizontal distance between the two consecutive circles. Hence, The resulting motion is Helical.

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