Controlled fusion is a possible future energy source that would harness the same nuclear fusion reactions that power the sun. The simplest fusion reaction is ²H⁺ + ²H⁺ → ³He⁺⁺ + n + energy, in which nuclei of two deuterium atoms fuse into a nucleus while ejecting a neutron and releasing a substantial amount of energy. Deuterium is not an element but is the name given to 'heavy hydrogen,' in which the nucleus is not simply a proton but a proton and a neutron, with atomic mass 2 u. Two positive deuterium nuclei, which repel each other, can get close enough to fuse only if they have very high speeds. This can be achieved by creating a plasma of ionized deuterium gas at a temperature of 1.0 x 10⁸ K. No material substance can contain a plasma at this temperature, so the idea is to contain the plasma with magnetic fields. Consider the simplest model of using a solenoid to confine the ions to cyclotron motion around the field lines. The plasma ions have a range of speeds, and it's necessary to contain all the ions with speeds up to three times the rms speed at the plasma temperature. What magnetic field strength is needed to keep the fastest ions in 20-cm-diameter cyclotron orbits? The actual magnetic fields are considerably more complex, but your answer is a reasonable estimate of the required field strengths.
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Circular Motion of Charges in Magnetic Fields
Problem 10b
Textbook Question
An electron in a cathode-ray beam passes between 2.5-cm-long parallel-plate electrodes that are 5.0 mm apart. A 2.0 mT, 2.5-cm-wide magnetic field is perpendicular to the electric field between the plates. The electron passes through the electrodes without being deflected if the potential difference between the plates is 600 V. If the potential difference between the plates is set to zero, what is the electron's radius of curvature in the magnetic field?

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Step 1: Understand the problem. The electron is initially passing through parallel-plate electrodes without deflection due to the balance between the electric and magnetic forces. When the electric field is removed, the electron will experience only the magnetic force, causing it to move in a circular path. The goal is to find the radius of curvature of this path.
Step 2: Recall the formula for the radius of curvature of a charged particle moving in a magnetic field. The radius of curvature (r) is given by: , where m is the mass of the electron, v is its velocity, q is the charge of the electron, and B is the magnetic field strength.
Step 3: Determine the velocity of the electron. When the electric field was present, the electron's velocity was determined by the balance between the electric force and the magnetic force. Use the relationship: , where E is the electric field strength and B is the magnetic field strength. The electric field strength can be calculated using , where V is the potential difference and d is the separation between the plates.
Step 4: Substitute the given values to calculate the velocity. Use V = 600 V, d = 5.0 mm (converted to meters), and B = 2.0 mT (converted to teslas). Calculate E first, then use to find the velocity of the electron.
Step 5: Use the calculated velocity and the given values for the mass of the electron ( kg), charge of the electron ( C), and magnetic field strength (B = 2.0 mT) in the formula to calculate the radius of curvature.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Lorentz Force
The Lorentz force is the force experienced by a charged particle moving through electric and magnetic fields. It is given by the equation F = q(E + v × B), where F is the force, q is the charge, E is the electric field, v is the velocity of the particle, and B is the magnetic field. This concept is crucial for understanding how the electron behaves in the presence of both electric and magnetic fields.
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Radius of Curvature
The radius of curvature of a charged particle's path in a magnetic field is determined by the balance between the magnetic force and the centripetal force required to keep the particle in circular motion. The radius can be calculated using the formula r = mv/(qB), where m is the mass of the particle, v is its velocity, q is its charge, and B is the magnetic field strength. This concept is essential for determining how the electron will curve in the magnetic field when the electric field is turned off.
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Kinematics of Charged Particles
Understanding the kinematics of charged particles involves analyzing their motion under the influence of forces. In this scenario, the electron's velocity can be derived from the potential difference between the plates, which accelerates the electron. This concept is important for calculating the electron's speed as it enters the magnetic field, which directly affects its radius of curvature.
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