Question

Two particles \( X \) and \( Y \) having equal charges are being accelerated through the same potential difference. Thereafter, they enter normally in a region of uniform magnetic field and describe circular paths of radii \( R_1 \) and \( R_2 \) respectively. The mass ratio of \( X \) and \( Y \) is:

• A. \( \left( \frac{R_2}{R_1} \right)^2 \)
• B. \( \left( \frac{R_1}{R_2} \right)^2 \)
• C. \( \frac{R_1}{R_2} \)
• D. \( \frac{R_2}{R_1} \)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Given:  
- The particles have equal charges \( q \).  
- They are accelerated through the same potential difference \( V \).  
- Radii of circular paths in a magnetic field are \( R_1 \) for particle \( X \) and \( R_2 \) for particle \( Y \).  

Step 1. Relate radius to mass and velocity:  
  For a particle moving in a circular path in a magnetic field, the radius \( R \) is given by:  

  \(R = \frac{mv}{qB}\)

  where:  
  - \( m \) is the mass of the particle,  
  - \( v \) is the velocity after acceleration,  
  - \( q \) is the charge, and  
  - \( B \) is the magnetic field strength.

Step 2. Express \( v \) in terms of \( V \):  
  Since each particle is accelerated through the same potential difference \( V \), the kinetic energy gained by each particle is:  
 
  \(\frac{1}{2} mv^2 = qV\)
  
  Solving for \( v \), we get:  
  \(v = \sqrt{\frac{2qV}{m}}\)
 

Step 3. Substitute \( v \) into the radius formula:  

 \( R = \frac{m}{qB} \cdot \sqrt{\frac{2qV}{m}} = \frac{\sqrt{2m \cdot qV}}{qB}\)
 
Step 4. Determine the ratio of radii for particles \( X \) and \( Y \):  

  \(\frac{R_1}{R_2} = \frac{\sqrt{2m_X \cdot qV}}{\sqrt{2m_Y \cdot qV}} = \sqrt{\frac{m_X}{m_Y}}\)
 

Step 5. Solve for the mass ratio:  
  Squaring both sides, we get:  
   \(\frac{m_X}{m_Y} = \left(\frac{R_1}{R_2}\right)^2\)

Thus, the mass ratio \( \frac{m_X}{m_Y} \) is \( \left(\frac{R_1}{R_2}\right)^2 \).

The Correct Answer is: \( \left( \frac{R_1}{R_2} \right)^2 \)