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

$A$ charge '$q$' moves with a velocity $2 \ m/s$ along the $x$-axis in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2 \hat{i} + 2 \hat{j} + 3 \hat{k}) \ T$. The charge will experience a force:

$A$ particle having charge of $1 \, C$,mass $1 \, kg$ and speed $1 \, m/s$ enters a uniform magnetic field,having magnetic induction of $1 \, T$,at an angle $\theta = 30^\circ$ between the velocity vector and the magnetic induction. The pitch of its helical path is (in meters):

$A$ particle of mass $m = 1.67 \times 10^{-27} \, kg$ and charge $q = 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, C$ enters a region of uniform magnetic field of strength $B = 1 \, T$ along the direction shown in the figure. The speed of the particle is $v = 10^7 \, m/s$. The magnetic field is directed along the inward normal to the plane of the paper. The particle enters the field at $C$ and leaves at $D$. Then the angle $\theta$ must be :-

$A$ magnetic field:

$A$ particle is projected with a velocity of $10 \ m/s$ along the $y-$axis from the point $(2, 3)$. $A$ uniform magnetic field of $(3\hat{i} + 4\hat{j}) \ T$ exists in the space. What is its speed when the particle passes through the $y-$axis for the third time? (Neglect gravity)

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