Chapter 28, Problem 46AP

Why is the following situation impossible? Figure P28.46 shows an experimental technique for altering the direction of travel for a charged particle. A particle of charge q = 1.00 μC and mass m = 2.00 × 10⁻¹⁵ kg enters the bottom of the region of uniform magnetic field at speed ν = 2.00 × 10⁵ m/s, with a velocity vector perpendicular to the field lines. The magnetic force on the particle causes its direction of travel to change so that it leaves the region of the magnetic field at the top traveling at an angle from its original direction. The magnetic field has magnitude B = 0.400 T and is directed out of the page. The length h of the magnetic field region is 0.110 m. An experimenter performs the technique and measures the angle θ at which the particles exit the top of the field. She finds that the angles of deviation are exactly as predicted.

Figure P28.46