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!).

Answered by Tutor48526 D. Physics tutor

2058 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why does a single slit diffraction pattern occur?


How can an object be accelerating if it does not change in speed?


By referencing the magnetic field and the alternating potential difference explain how a cyclotron produces a beam of high speed particles.


What is the general equation for the alpha-decay of a nucleus X, with nucleon number A and proton number Z, into nucleon Y??


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy