How Do Different Various Voltages Affect the Deflection Rate of Charged Particles at a Constant Current?

Overview

Objectives/Goals My project was designed to determine how a modulated voltage supply at a constant low current would affect the rate of deflection of charged particles by an electromagnet. The theoretical aspect of this phenomenon is described in the Lorentz equation. After reviewing those equations, I am lead to believe that higher voltages will increase the deflection rate. Methods/Materials My project calls for at least; one variable power supply, one detection device (Geiger, scintillator, or electroscope), one alpha radiation source, and one electromagnet. Other equipment is necessary, such as banana plugs, alligator clips, a multimeter, and other basic electrical equipment, but is commonly available and therefore not named. At its most basic, the experiment is an alpha radiation source pointed at an electromagnetic field with the source facing the detection device. All the devices will be unchanged and consistent except for the voltage going through the electromagnet to ensure that only the voltage is being tested. Results My data shows that the variance fields between the various voltages were negligible and were within the right of human error with attaining data through an optical spinthariscope. Therefore, I must conclude that the effect of an electromagnet at variable low voltages at a constant low current does not have a strong enough magnetic flux field to deflect alpha particles with an energy of 5.91 MeV's. Conclusions/Discussion Although my shield apparatus failed to deflect the alpha particles, I believe my experiment has tested many components that will be useful in future experiments. This project has also helped me determine improvements to my experiment that may yield better results in the future, such as a vacuum chamber. In the next couple of years, I hope to be able to design and build a prototype shield device for potential use as a spacecraft radiation shield.

Competition history

• CSEF 2013 Physics & Astronomy · Entry J1899

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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