A charge of 5 uC moves in a 0.2 T magnetic field perpendicular to the field lines at 10^4 m/s. The particle mass is 2e-5 kg. Find the radius of the circle — Physics problems | PhysLabo
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Radius of the orbit of a charge in a magnetic field

Medium 11 grade Electricity / Magnetism

A charge $q = 5$ uC moves in a uniform magnetic field $B = 0.2$ T perpendicular to the induction lines with speed $v = 10^4$ m/s. The mass of the particle is $m = 2 \cdot 10^{-5}$ kg. Find the radius of the circle the particle moves along.

Given
  • $q = 5$ uC $= 5 \cdot 10^{-6}$ C
  • $B = 0.2$ T
  • $v = 10^4$ m/s
  • $m = 2 \cdot 10^{-5}$ kg
  • $r = ?$
Hints
Hint 1 / 2
The Lorentz force is the centripetal force: $qvB = mv^2/r$, hence $r = mv/(qB)$.
Hint 2 / 2
Convert the charge to coulombs: $5$ uC $= 5 \cdot 10^{-6}$ C.
Solution

The Lorentz force is perpendicular to the velocity and acts as the centripetal force: $qvB = mv^2/r$, hence

$$r = \frac{mv}{qB} = \frac{2 \cdot 10^{-5} \cdot 10^4}{5 \cdot 10^{-6} \cdot 0.2} = \frac{0.2}{10^{-6}} = 2 \cdot 10^5 \text{ m}$$

$$r = 200\,000 \text{ m} = 200 \text{ km}$$

Answer

$r = 2 \cdot 10^5$ m (200 km)