- #1
Physics345
- 250
- 23
Homework Statement
Examine the following diagram of a particle accelerator.[/B]
a) Give a brief explanation of how it works.
b) Describe what might happen to the particle accelerator if the magnetic field was too weak.
c) Describe one change to the electric field and one change to the magnetic field that must take place, as the particles gain energy.
Homework Equations
None
The Attempt at a Solution
a) Synchrotron accelerators take in particles, which are fired into them by linear accelerators such as protons. The particles rotate in a circular motion (caused by a electromagnets), which uses oppositely charged accelerating cavities to increase the acceleration of the particles. The magnets are set up in a circular pattern and in between them are accelerating cavities. In order to counter the effects of accelerating particles, the strength of the magnetic field is increased. Since the circular accelerators are large, energy is constantly added to the charged particles continuously moving around the circuit. The cavity behind the particle is similarly charged pushing the particle forward, and the cavity in front is oppositely charged pulling the particle forward. The overall goal is to accelerate the particles forward in their circular motion as fast as possible, which is close to the speed of light but never at the speed of light.
b) There will be an increase in the radius of the curvature caused by the accelerating particles, causing the particles to collide with the walls of the tube in the accelerator
c) The strength of the magnetic field must be increased in order to counter the effects of accelerating particles, otherwise the radius of the curvature will increase weakening the magnetic field therefore causing the particles to collide with accelerators tubing wall. With the increased speed of the particles, the charges in the cavities need to switch in correlation with the particles more quickly in order to synchronize with the increased speed of the particles otherwise the particles will slow down.
Let me know what you guys think.
Attachments
Last edited: