In a mass spectrometer used for measuring the masses of ions, the ions are initially accelerated by an ele. potential \(\mathrm{V}\) and then made to describe semicircular paths of radius \(\mathrm{r}\) using a magnetic field \(\mathrm{B}\). If \(\mathrm{V}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\) are kept constant, the ratio [(Charge on the ion) / (mass of the ion)] will be proportional to. (a) \(\left(1 / r^{2}\right)\) (b) \(r^{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{r}\) (d) \((1 / \mathrm{r})\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The ratio (charge on the ion) / (mass of the ion) is proportional to \((1/r)\).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the working principle of mass spectrometer

: In a mass spectrometer, ions are initially accelerated by an electric potential V, and then they move in a magnetic field B along semicircular paths of radius r. The movement of the ions is governed by the Lorentz force formula, which can be applied to find the relationship between charge, mass, and radius.
02

Apply Lorentz force formula

: The Lorentz force acting on the ion can be given as: \(F_{L} = q(vB)\), where \(F_L\) is the Lorentz force, \(q\) is the charge of the ion, \(v\) is the velocity of the ion, and \(B\) is the magnetic field. Also, the centripetal force acting on the ion can be given as: \(F_{c} = \frac{m v^{2}}{r}\), where \(F_c\) is the centripetal force, \(m\) is the mass of the ion, and \(r\) is the radius of the semicircular path. Since the ion is moving in a semicircular path, the centripetal force and Lorentz force acting on the ion must be equal. Hence, we have: \(q(vB) = \frac{m v^{2}}{r}\)
03

Express velocity in terms of electric potential

: The initial acceleration of the ion under the influence of electric potential can be given as: \(qV = \frac{1}{2}m v^{2}\), where \(V\) is the electric potential. From this equation, the velocity of the ion can be expressed in terms of electric potential, mass, and charge: \(v = \sqrt{2qV/m}\)
04

Substitute the value of velocity in Lorentz force equation

: Now, we will substitute the velocity from the electric potential equation into the Lorentz force and centripetal force equation: \(qB\sqrt{2qV/m} = \frac{m (2qV/m)}{r}\)
05

Simplify the equation and find the ratio

: By simplifying the above equation, we can find the ratio (charge on the ion)/(mass of the ion) is proportional to: \(\frac{q}{m} = \frac{1}{rB}\) Thus, the ratio (charge on the ion)/(mass of the ion) is inversely proportional to the radius. Therefore, the correct answer is: (d) \((1/r)\)

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