A cyclotron cannot be used to accelerate
(A) proton
(B) deuteron
(C) alpha particle
(D) electron

The correct answer is: (D) electron

Explanation:

A cyclotron is a device used to accelerate charged particles (like protons, deuterons, alpha particles) using a perpendicular magnetic field and an alternating electric field.

However, electrons cannot be effectively accelerated in a cyclotron because:

  • Electrons are very light compared to protons or alpha particles.
  • As electrons are accelerated to high speeds, relativistic effects become significant — their mass increases with speed (according to special relativity).
  • The cyclotron assumes a constant mass for the particle, so it fails for relativistic particles like electrons.

As a result, electrons spiral out of sync with the alternating electric field, and the cyclotron fails to accelerate them efficiently.

🔹 For electrons, a betatron or a linear accelerator (linac) is used instead.

Published by Pragyanxetu

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