Math Problem Statement
Athena is tracking the motion of a proton undergoing uniform circular motion in a cyclotron. At time 𝑡1 = 3.25 ns she reported the electron to be at ⟨50.0 cm, 50.0 cm⟩ with velocity −(4.29 × 10^7 m/s)î and acceleration directed along the +𝑦-axis. Then at time 𝑡2 = 58.2 ns it had velocity −(4.29 × 10^7 m/s)î and acceleration along the −𝑥-axis. The time 𝑡2 − 𝑡1 is less than one period.
Evaluate this first then answer the following: A. What is the period of revolution of the electron? B. Where is the center of the circular path located? C. What is the centripetal acceleration of the electron?
Solution
To solve this problem, let's break down the information provided:
-
Uniform Circular Motion: The proton is undergoing uniform circular motion, meaning it travels in a circular path at constant speed, and the acceleration is always directed toward the center of the circle (centripetal acceleration).
-
Given Data:
- Time ns (nanoseconds)
- Position at
- Velocity at
- Acceleration at is along the -axis.
- Time ns
- Velocity at
- Acceleration at is along the -axis.
- The time difference , which is less than one period of revolution.
Let's proceed step by step to answer each part:
A. Period of Revolution of the Electron
-
Calculate the Fraction of the Circle Traveled:
Since the velocity of the electron at and is in the direction but the acceleration changes from to , this suggests that the electron travels a quarter (1/4) of a full circle between and .
-
Determine the Period of the Circular Motion:
The time to complete a quarter-circle is .
Therefore, the full period (time to complete a full circle) is:
B. Center of the Circular Path
-
Finding the Center:
At , the position of the electron is cm. The acceleration is directed along the -axis, which means the center of the circular path must be to the left (in the negative -direction) of this point because the centripetal acceleration always points toward the center.
At , the acceleration is along the -axis, meaning the center is below this point (negative -direction).
Since the path forms a circle and we know the acceleration directions at two points, the center of the circular path must be at the same distance from both positions but offset by the radius.
Given that at time , the acceleration is along the -axis, the center must lie on the line where . Similarly, since at time the acceleration is along the -axis, the center must lie on the line where . Therefore, the center of the circle is at:
C. Centripetal Acceleration of the
Ask a new question for Free
By Image
Drop file here or Click Here to upload
Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Uniform Circular Motion
Centripetal Acceleration
Kinematics
Formulas
T = 4 × Δt (Period of revolution)
a_c = v^2 / r (Centripetal acceleration)
Theorems
Centripetal Force Theorem
Suitable Grade Level
Undergraduate Physics
Related Recommendation
Calculate Period and Frequency in Circular Motion
Lorentz Force and Circular Motion of Electron in Magnetic Field
Find the Radius of a Circle in Uniform Circular Motion using Acceleration Vectors
Centripetal Acceleration for Horizontal Circular Motion
Calculating the Initial Speed of an Electron Approaching a Charged Sphere