The aurora is caused when electrons and protons, moving in the earth’s magnetic field of ≈5.0×10−5T, collide with molecules of the atmosphere and cause them to glow. What is the frequency of the circular orbit for an electron with speed 1.0×106m/s? Assume that the electron moves in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field.

8.79*10^6 rad/s

Explanation:

To find the frequency of the circular orbit for an electron you use the following expression, for the radius of the trajectory of an electron, that travels trough a constant magnetic field:

        (1)

r: radius of the trajectory

m: mass of the electron = 9.1*10^-31 kg

v: speed of the electron = 1.0*10^6 m/s

q: charge of the electron = 1.6*10^-19 C

B: magnitude of the magnetic field = 5.0*10^-5 T

You use the fact that the angular frequency in a circular motion is given by:

Then, you solve the equation (1) in order to obtain v/r:

Finally, you replace the values of the parameters:

hence, the angular frequency is 8.79*10^6 rad/s

The frequency is: