Three particles have identical masses and identical inital velocities. These particles are projected one at a time into a region in which there is a uniform magnetic field B perpendicular to their velocities. If two of the particles are deflected in opposite directions and the third is not deflected at all, what can you say about them?
Do the two particles that are deflected in opposite directions from each other have the same charge? (like charges repel) But The third charge is neutral because it continues to travel in a line once it enters the uniform magnetic field.
To determine if the two particles deflected in opposite directions have the same charge, we need to apply the right-hand rule for magnetic forces.
When a charged particle moves through a magnetic field, it experiences a force perpendicular to both its velocity and the magnetic field direction. The magnitude of this force is given by F = qvB, where q represents the charge of the particle, v is its velocity, and B is the magnetic field strength.
Since the particles have identical masses and initial velocities, their paths will differ only if they have different charges. To determine if the forces acting on the particles are in opposite directions, we apply the right-hand rule.
Hold your right hand as if you are pointing your thumb in the direction of the velocity of a positively charged particle. Then, curl your fingers toward the magnetic field direction. The resulting direction that your palm faces represents the direction of the force acting on the particle.
If the two particles are deflected in opposite directions, this indicates that the forces acting on them are in opposite directions. According to the right-hand rule, this means that the two particles have the same charge (i.e., they are both positively charged or negatively charged).
On the other hand, the third particle is neutral because it continues to travel in a straight line once it enters the uniform magnetic field. This implies that the force acting on it is zero, which happens when a particle has no charge or when its charge is balanced by other factors.
In summary, the two particles deflected in opposite directions from each other have the same charge, while the third particle is neutral.