5.0 Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is a cyclotron?
A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses a magnetic field and electric field to accelerate charged particles to high speeds.
True or False: A cyclotron can accelerate both positive and negative charged particles.
False. A cyclotron primarily accelerates positively charged particles, such as protons.
Fill in the blank: The main components of a cyclotron include a __________ and a __________.
magnet; radiofrequency oscillator
Which of the following particles is commonly accelerated by a cyclotron? A) Neutrons B) Electrons C) Protons D) Photons
C) Protons
What is the primary purpose of a cyclotron in scientific research?
The primary purpose of a cyclotron is to produce high-energy particles for experiments in nuclear physics and medical applications, such as cancer treatment.
What is the purpose of particle detectors at the point of collision?
To identify the fragments of collision
Detectors help count particles, visualize tracks, measure particle energies, record time of flight, and identify different particles.
What effect do strong magnets have on particle tracks in detectors?
They cause the tracks of particles to become curved
Particles normally travel in straight lines but curve in the presence of a magnetic field.
How do electromagnets enhance the functionality of particle detectors?
They generate magnetic fields to exploit the curvature of particle paths
This allows physicists to analyze particle momentum based on the curvature.
What can physicists calculate from the curvature of a particle’s path?
The momentum of a particle
Momentum is a clue to the particle’s identity.
How do particles with high momentum behave in a detector?
They travel in almost straight lines
This contrasts with particles of very low momentum, which move in tight spirals.
What happens to a charged particle moving across a magnetic field?
It experiences the electromagnetic force
Both positive and negative particles experience the same force but in opposite directions.
What can physicists determine by knowing the direction of the magnetic field and collision fragments?
The types of positive and negative particles formed after the collision
This analysis helps in identifying the resulting particles.
Fill in the blank: Detectors count particles, visualize tracks, measure particle energies, record _______ and identify different particles.
time of flight
True or False: Electromagnets are not necessary for particle detectors to function.
False
Electromagnets are crucial for creating the magnetic fields that allow for particle path analysis.
