Which of following property of a proton cannot change while it moves f...
- The magnetic force acts perpendicular to the direction of motion of the proton, thus it does not change the speed but only its direction of motion
- This in turn means the velocity and momentum of the particle is changed.
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Which of following property of a proton cannot change while it moves f...
Understanding Proton Motion in a Magnetic Field
When a proton moves freely in a magnetic field, various properties can be affected. However, one specific property remains unchanged. Let's explore this in detail.
Key Properties of a Proton
- Speed: The scalar quantity that measures how fast the proton is moving, irrespective of its direction.
- Velocity: A vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. It can change if the proton's path changes due to the magnetic field.
- Momentum: The product of mass and velocity. Since velocity can change, so can momentum.
Why Speed Remains Unchanged
- Lorentz Force: When a charged particle like a proton moves in a magnetic field, it experiences a force (Lorentz force) perpendicular to both its velocity and the magnetic field direction. This force does not do work on the proton, meaning it doesn't change the proton's speed.
- Circular Motion: As the proton moves in a magnetic field, it typically follows a circular or helical path due to this perpendicular force. While the direction changes, the magnitude of the velocity (speed) remains constant.
Conclusion
In summary, while the proton can experience changes in velocity and momentum due to the effects of the magnetic field, its speed remains constant as it moves freely. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 'A', as the speed of the proton cannot change while in motion within a magnetic field.
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