Experiment 3

Deflection of Beta Particles in a Magnetic Field

Objective:
To observe the deflection of the path of β radiation by means of
magnetism.

Theory:
Any charged particle moving through a magnetic field will experience a
force 𝐹⃗ . This force is called the "Lorentz force" and will be perpendicular to the
directions of both the magnetic field 𝐵 ⃗⃗ and the velocity 𝑣⃗ of the charged particle
and is given by:
𝐹⃗ = 𝑞 𝑣⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗ (1)

The exact direction of the force is given by the right hand rule. If θ is the angle
between v ⃗⃗, we can right for the magnitude of 𝐹⃗ :
⃗⃗ and B

𝐹 = 𝑞 𝑣𝐵 sin 𝜃 (2)

Hence, for a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the
charged particles
𝐹 = 𝑞 𝑣𝐵 (3)

If the particle has a negative charge, as does a conventional Beta particle, the
force will be in the opposite direction from that experienced by the positive
charged particle. When the magnetic field remains constant, the charged particle
will continue to experience the Lorentz force which will be constant in magnitude
but with a direction that is always perpendicular to its velocity vector. This force
will change the direction of the charged particle and force it to follow a circular
path in the magnetic field. Therefore, if we put a detector that can be rotated in

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front of the beta source after applying the magnetic field, we should observe that
the path of the particles is indeed deflected.

Apparatus:
Geiger tube.

Counter.

Stand with rod and universal clamps.

DC power supply unit with a built in ammeter.

Coils with iron core.

Slide angle scale.

Beta source.

Stopwatch.

Connecting leads.

Safety precautions:
1. Handle the radioactive sources with respect. Don’t bend or try to break them.
2. Never touch the source using bare hands. Always use forceps to handle sources.
3. Do not eat or drink during the lab.
4. Practice ALARA by being as far away from the sources as possible and returning the
source to your instructor as soon as you are finished with it and also by using
appropriate shielding.
1. Lead is a potentially toxic material if it inters the body by swallowing or breathing its
dust and if the exposure is long term. DO NOT touch your face or put your hands in your
mouth after touching the lead bricks used for shielding. Always wash hands before
leaving the lab.

Procedure:

1- Connect the apparatus as shown in Fig.1.

2
2- At current ( I ) equal zero change the angle (-200,…,00,…,400) and record the
number of counts (N) per 100 s at each angle.
3- Increase the current to 0.6 A and repeat step2.
4- Calculate the count rate per second (n=N/100).
5- Plot a graph between the angle θ and the count rate n for both cases (you
should get something similar to fig2).
6- Compare the graphs with and without the applied current.
7- Deduce the direction of the applied magnetic field.

Figure 1

n (s-1)

𝑰 = 𝟎. 𝟔A

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 Data sheet
Experiment 4: Deflection of Beta Particles in a Magnetic Field

Source information:

element activity (Ao) half-life t1/2 Calibration date

( ) ( )

NB.G. = (............. + ……...... )/2 = ………… counts/ 100s

Angle N1 N2 Nav N= Nav- NB.G.

𝐼 (A) n (s-1)
 ( º) counts/100s counts/100s counts/100s counts/100s
-20
-10
0
0 10
20
30
40
-20
-10
0
0.6 10
20
30
40

Post lab question:

Please write the direction of the deflection of beta rays, and then deduce the
direction of the magnetic field in the air gab of the electric magnet that you used.