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Question #43774
The Question
A particle of rest mass and charge is projected from the origin with an initial velocity , where is the speed of light in vacuum. The region contains a uniform electric field . After a certain time, the particle's velocity vector makes an angle of with the x-axis. Neglecting gravity and radiation losses, what is the transverse displacement of the particle at this instant?
Options
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Intuition_Breaker
Train your brain to resist "obvious" answers that are designed to deceive your intuition.
Concepts Behind This Question
Impact Parameter Geometry|Trajectory of Charged Particle|The Velocity-Position Identity
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
This question tests the application of relativistic dynamics and the Work-Energy theorem.
A common trap is assuming that the longitudinal velocity remains constant because there is no force in the x-direction.
In relativity, while the longitudinal momentum is conserved, the continuous increase in transverse momentum increases the particle's total energy and Lorentz factor .
Consequently, must decrease.
Students failing to account for this dynamic inertial resistance will incorrectly apply classical kinematics or assume a constant relativistic mass, leading to erroneous calculations of the transverse displacement.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Physics |
| Chapter | Atoms - Class 12 |
| Concept | Impact Parameter Geometry |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 7 |
| Target Solve Time | 160 sec |
| Access | Free |