The solar wind is a thin, hot gas given off by the sun. Charged particles in thi

Question

The solar wind is a thin, hot gas given off by the sun. Charged particles in this gas enter the magnetic field of teh earthand can experience a magnetic force. Suppose a chargedparticle traveling with a speed of 9.0x 106 m/sencounters the earth's magnetic field at an altitude where thefield has a magnitude of 1.2x10-7 T. Assuming thatthe particle's velocit is perpendicular to the magnetic field, findthe radius of teh curcular path on which the particle would move ifit were a.) an electron and b.) a proton.

Explanation / Answer

speed v = 9.0x 106 m/s
the earth's magnetic field B = 1.2x10-7T. In magnetic field B v q = m v 2 /r Or   B q = m v / r from this radius of the cirular path r = m v / B q (a). For electron charge q = 1.6 * 10 ^ -19 C                          mass m = 9.1 * 10 ^ -31 kg substitue values we get answer (b). For proton charge q = 1.6 * 10 ^ -19 C                          mass m = 1.67 * 10 ^ -27 kg substitue values we get answer                          mass m = 1.67 * 10 ^ -27 kg substitue values we get answer

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