Exam-style question
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What happens to the radius of the circular path of a charged particle if its speed increases in a uniform magnetic field?.
- A.The radius decreases
- B.The radius increases
- C.The radius remains the same
- D.The radius becomes zero
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The radius increases
Explanation
Why this works
As the speed of a charged particle increases, the radius of its circular path increases because the magnetic force provides the centripetal force required for circular motion, which is proportional to the speed.
Common mistake
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