An unknown particle is caused to move between two electrically charged plates, as illustrated in Figure 2.7. You hypothesize that the particle is a proton. (a) If your hypothesis is correct, would the particle be deflected in the same or opposite direction as the b rays?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the charge of the proton. A proton has a positive charge.
2. Observe the deflection of the β rays in the diagram. β rays (beta particles) are negatively charged and are deflected towards the positive plate.
3. Determine the direction of deflection for a positively charged particle. Since opposite charges attract, a positively charged particle like a proton would be deflected towards the negative plate.
4. Compare the deflection direction of the proton with that of the β rays. The β rays are deflected towards the positive plate, while the proton would be deflected towards the negative plate.
5. Conclude whether the proton would be deflected in the same or opposite direction as the β rays. Since the proton is deflected towards the negative plate and the β rays towards the positive plate, the proton would be deflected in the opposite direction to the β rays.

Key Concepts

Electric Charge and Forces

Electric charge is a fundamental property of particles that causes them to experience a force when placed in an electric field. Charged plates create an electric field between them, which exerts a force on charged particles, causing them to accelerate. The direction of the force depends on the sign of the charge; positive charges are attracted to negative plates and repelled by positive plates.

Particle Types in Radiation

In nuclear physics, particles emitted from radioactive substances include alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) rays. Alpha particles are positively charged helium nuclei, beta particles are high-energy electrons or positrons, and gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation with no charge. Understanding the charge and mass of these particles is crucial for predicting their behavior in electric fields.

Deflection of Charged Particles

When charged particles move through an electric field, they experience a deflection based on their charge and the direction of the field. A positively charged particle, like a proton, will be deflected toward the negatively charged plate, while negatively charged particles will move toward the positively charged plate. This principle is essential for determining the trajectory of particles in experiments involving electric fields.