Question

Can cyclotron accelerate uncharged particles?

Answer 1

State the principles involved in the working of a cyclotron; that is, state the forces involved in the working of a cyclotron. Explain the working of these forces and explain what these forces are dependent on and conclude the answer.

Complete answer:
The cyclotron is a device used to accelerate charged particles which itself answers the question. The cyclotron works on the principle that a charged particle is accelerated with the help of electric and magnetic fields. So the electric force and the magnetic force, together contributing to the Lorentz force is involved in a cyclotron. Electric fields and magnetic fields only affect a charged particle, which is why an uncharged particle cannot be accelerated by a cyclotron.

Additional information:
Equation of frequency is given by
$f = \dfrac{{qB}}{{2\pi m}}$
Looking at this equation, we can say that electrons can be accelerated if the magnetization were to change with a change in mass thus canceling the effect of the relativistic mass.
Another way to accelerate a charged particle with a small mass that approaches relativistic velocity is by using a synchrocyclotron where the frequency is varied to compensate for relativistic velocity.

Note:
Electrons cannot be accelerated by a cyclotron. This is because of the relativistic change in the value of the mass of an electron. As electrons are of small mass, they accelerate rapidly and attain the relativistic velocity. This increases the mass of the electron. If the mass were to increase, then according to the equation of frequency, the frequency decreases and hence resonance condition is not satisfied.