Question

A charged particle moves in a circular path in a uniform magnetic field.

Which of the following would increase the period of the particle's motion?

Check all that apply.

a. Increasing its charge
b. Increasing its mass
c. Increasing the field strength
d. Increasing its speed

Answer 1

To increase the period of a charged particle's circular motion in a uniform magnetic field, one should increase its mass or its speed. Increasing the charge or the magnetic field strength would decrease the period.

Step-by-step explanation:

Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field

When a charged particle moves in a circular path in a uniform magnetic field, the period of its motion can be affected by various factors. To increase the period of the particle's motion, one might consider:

• Increasing its mass (b), which would make it harder for the magnetic field to change the particle's direction, thus increasing the period of its orbit.
• Increasing its speed (d) would also increase the period since the centripetal force needed to maintain circular motion (mv²/r) would be greater, leading to a larger radius and longer period.

However, increasing the charge of the particle (a) would increase the magnetic force (F = qvB), which would decrease the period by pulling the particle into a tighter orbit. Similarly, increasing the magnetic field strength (c) would also increase the magnetic force on the particle, decreasing the period.