Motion of Individual Charges in Magnetic Fields

Individual Charge in Magnetic Fields-Motion

Introduction

• When charged particles, such as electrons, move through a magnetic field, they experience a force that affects their motion.
• This phenomenon results in circular or curved trajectories of charged particles in a magnetic field.

Force Perpendicular to Velocity

• The force exerted on a charged particle is always perpendicular to the particle's velocity. This means the force does not change the speed of the particle but alters its direction.

Change in Velocity and Force Direction

• As a charged particle moves through a magnetic field, the force exerted on it causes a change in its velocity.
• This change in velocity results in the force direction continuously changing as well.
• Consequently, the charged particle experiences a force that acts in a radial direction towards the centre of a circle.

Circular Motion Illustration

• The motion of individual charges in a magnetic field can be demonstrated using an electron deflection tube, where the path of electrons is bent in the presence of a magnetic field.

Colliders and Circular Tracks

• In collider experiments and particle accelerators, the motion of charged particles is often observed as circular or spiral tracks.
• This circular motion is a consequence of the forces acting on the particles due to the magnetic fields present in these high-energy physics experiments.

---

Motion of Individual Charges in Magnetic Fields

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

• The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Switzerland is designed as a circular accelerator.
• Its circular shape allows particles to travel in curved paths within magnetic fields, enabling scientists to study particle interactions and fundamental physics.

Summary

• Charged particles moving through magnetic fields experience forces that are always perpendicular to their velocities.
• This force causes changes in velocity and direction, leading to circular or curved trajectories.
• Circular tracks of particles in collider experiments demonstrate the effects of magnetic fields on charged particle motion.
• The circular design of accelerators like the LHC facilitates the study of particle interactions and fundamental physics.