explain how a cyclotron produces a high energy electron

-cyclotron consists of 2 dees connected to an AC power supply. When an electron is released from a source in the centre of the cyclotron, it is initially attracted towards the positively charged dee, due to the electrostatic force of attraction - columbs law. This causes the electron to accelerate towards that dee-When the AC supply alternates, the positively charged dee becomes negatively charged and the electron is now repelled towards the opposite dee, which is now positvely charged. This process continues causing the velocity of the electron to increase overtime.Since there is a magnetic field perpendicular to the cyclotron, by Flemings left hand rule, this implies that the force acting on the electron is a centripetal force.Tthis causes the electrons to move in circular motion around the centre-in circular motion. F=mv^2 /r, since F is constant when v increases, r must also increase, so the electron spirals out from the centre of the cyclotron. This implies that the time each electron remains in the dee is constant.

TS
Answered by Toby S. Physics tutor

2505 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

This Question is a multi-parter but all around the same scenario. Similar to an end of paper A-level physics question.


In a circuit with a thermistor and bulb, what happens to the brightness of the bulb as the temperature increases?


A DVD is dropped from rest. The DVD does not reach terminal velocity before it hits the ground. Explain how the acceleration of the DVD varies from the instant it is dropped until just before it hits the ground.


An electron falling from one energy level to another emits a photon of wavelength 550nm. What is the difference between the two energy levels?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning