An electron and a positron are released from $(0, 0, 0)$ and $(0, 0, 1.5R)$ respectively,in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = B_0 \hat{i}$,each with an equal momentum of magnitude $P = eBR$. Under what conditions on the direction of momentum will the orbits be non-intersecting circles?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(D) The radius of the circular path for both the electron and the positron is $R = \frac{P}{eB}$. Since the magnetic field is along the $x$-axis,the motion of both particles is confined to the $yz$-plane.
Let the momentum vectors of the electron and positron make an angle $\theta$ with the $y$-axis in the $yz$-plane. The centers of the circular orbits,$C_e$ and $C_p$,are located at a distance $R$ from the respective starting positions,perpendicular to the momentum vectors.
For the electron starting at $(0, 0, 0)$ with momentum $P_1$ at angle $\theta$ to the $y$-axis,the center $C_e$ is at $(0, -R \sin \theta, R \cos \theta)$.
For the positron starting at $(0, 0, 1.5R)$ with momentum $P_2$ at angle $\theta$ to the $y$-axis,the center $C_p$ is at $(0, -R \sin \theta, 1.5R - R \cos \theta)$.
The orbits will be non-intersecting if the distance $d$ between the centers $C_e$ and $C_p$ is greater than the sum of their radii,i.e.,$d > 2R$.
Calculating the distance squared $d^2$ between $C_e(0, -R \sin \theta, R \cos \theta)$ and $C_p(0, -R \sin \theta, 1.5R - R \cos \theta)$:
$d^2 = (0 - 0)^2 + (-R \sin \theta - (-R \sin \theta))^2 + (1.5R - R \cos \theta - R \cos \theta)^2$
$d^2 = 0 + 0 + (1.5R - 2R \cos \theta)^2$
$d^2 = (1.5R - 2R \cos \theta)^2$
For non-intersecting orbits,$d > 2R$,so $d^2 > 4R^2$:
$(1.5R - 2R \cos \theta)^2 > 4R^2$
$|1.5R - 2R \cos \theta| > 2R$
Case $1$: $1.5R - 2R \cos \theta > 2R \implies -2R \cos \theta > 0.5R \implies \cos \theta < -0.25$
Case $2$: $1.5R - 2R \cos \theta < -2R \implies -2R \cos \theta < -3.5R \implies \cos \theta > 1.75$ (Not possible as $\cos \theta \le 1$)
Thus,the condition for non-intersecting orbits is $\cos \theta < -0.25$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Give an example of a situation in which an applied force does not result in a change in kinetic energy.

Uniform magnetic fields of different strengths ($B_1$ and $B_2$),both normal to the plane of the paper,exist as shown in the figure. $A$ charged particle of mass $m$ and charge $q$,at the interface at an instant,moves into the region $2$ with velocity $v$ and returns to the interface. It continues to move into region $1$ and finally reaches the interface. What is the displacement of the particle during this movement along the interface? (Consider the velocity of the particle to be normal to the magnetic field and $B_2 > B_1$)

Two particles $A$ and $B$ have equal charges but different masses $M_{A}$ and $M_{B}$. After being accelerated through the same potential difference,they enter a region of uniform magnetic field and describe paths of radii $R_{A}$ and $R_{B}$ respectively. Then $M_{A} : M_{B}$ is

If a charged particle moves through a magnetic field with a velocity that has both perpendicular and parallel components,what is the path followed by the particle?

$A$ very high magnetic field is applied to a stationary charge. Then the charge experiences

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo