Cyclotron

Definition

A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses a combination of a static magnetic field and a rapidly varying electric field to accelerate charged particles in a spiral trajectory. It is used in various applications, including medical therapy and nuclear physics research.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The cyclotron was invented by Ernest O. Lawrence in 1930.
2. The magnetic field in a cyclotron forces charged particles to move in circular paths, while the electric field accelerates them.
3. Cyclotrons are capable of accelerating particles to high energies, which can then be used to create new particles or isotopes.
4. The size and strength of the magnetic field in a cyclotron determine the maximum energy that the particles can achieve.
5. Cyclotrons are commonly used in hospitals for producing radioisotopes for medical imaging and cancer treatment.

Review Questions

• What combination of fields does a cyclotron use to accelerate particles?
• Who invented the cyclotron and when?
• Name one application of cyclotrons in the medical field.

Related terms

Particle Accelerator:

A device that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and contain them in well-defined beams.

Synchrotron:

A type of particle accelerator where the magnetic field strength varies with particle energy, keeping them on a fixed circular path as they gain energy.

Linear Accelerator (Linac): An accelerator that increases the velocity of charged subatomic particles or ions along a straight line using oscillating electric potentials.