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 the earth and can experience a magnetic force. Suppose a charged particle traveling with a speed of 9.16E+6 m/s encounters the earth's magnetic field at an altitude where the field has a magnitude of 1.37E-7 T. Assuming that the particle's velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field, calculate the radius of the circular path on which the particle would move if it were an electron.

Explanation / Answer

A magnetic force (Bqv) provides the centripetal force (mv²/R) acting on the electrons

Bqv = mv²/R

R = mv / Bq .. .. m=electron mass(9.1^-31kg), q=1.60^-19C)

R = (9.10^-31kg x 9.16*10^6m/s) / (1.37*10^-7T x 1.60^-19C)

.. .. .. R = 380.27 m

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