The LHC accelerates protons to a speed of 0.999999991c around a 27km ring. Due to relativistic effects, their mass increases. Given that the magnetic fields used are 8T, calculate this mass. What is the total energy of an LHC beam containing 3e14 protons?

Balancing the centripetal force mv^2/r with the force experienced due to motion in a magnetic field qvB: m = qBr/v = qBC/2piv (C circumference). Putting in numbers: m = 1.83e-23 kg (~11,000 mass of proton at rest!). Energy of beam = Np * 1/2 m v^2 (Np number of protons). Again, using the numbers, we get energy = 2.4e8 J. This is equivalent to the energy a standard car (mass 1.5t) has when traveling at around 1300 mph! (I originally asked this in the question but I went over the character count!).

TD
Answered by Tutor48526 D. Physics tutor

3418 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why does the rate of change of potential difference between two capacitor plates decrease as the capacitor discharges?


From the definition of the decay constant for nuclear decay, derive the exponential decay equation.


Asteroid of mass 10^16 kg is travelling in the equatorial plane of Earth. It hits the surface at 45°. After the impact the day shortens by 1% (15 mins). How fast was the asteroid - comment? Neglect effects of atmosphere. Consider only inelastic collision.


Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit T^2 ∝ r^3 where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning