Chapter 36, Problem 38A

A cyclotron is a device for accelerating charged particles to high speeds in circular orbits of ever-increasing radius. The charged particles are subjected to both an electric field and a magnetic field. One of these fields increases the speed of the particles, and the other field holds them in a circular path. Which field performs which function?

To determine

To explain: The field increasing the speed of the particle and which holds them in a circular path in the case of cyclotron

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The Cyclotron is a particle accelerator because it accelerates the charged particle to high energies.

In the case of the cyclotron, the magnetic field is used to holds the charged particle in the circular path while the electric field is used to pull the particle forward for each time, resulting it go speedily and continue increasing until their speed reaches to the $3/4$ part of the light’s speed.

Conclusion:

To hold the charged particle, the magnetic field is used while the electric field is used to increase the speed of the particle.