CBSE Class 12 Physics Chapter 11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 12 Physics, Chapter 11, Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter, NCERT Solutions offer comprehensive explanations for additional exercises. These solutions explore the kinetic energy of electrons accelerated by potential differences and their behavior in magnetic fields. They detail how to calculate electron speeds using classical mechanics, emphasizing the necessity of relativistic corrections for high speeds. The resource also clarifies the de Broglie wavelength and its role in determining the radius of an electron's circular path in a magnetic field. Designed for effective exam preparation, these step-by-step solutions aim to solidify students' understanding of fundamental concepts and guide them through common calculation challenges.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Physics |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter - NCERT Additional Exercises Solutions |
Chapter summary
This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics focus on the dual nature of radiation and matter. It includes additional exercises that explore the relationship between accelerating potential and electron kinetic energy, and the motion of charged particles in magnetic fields. The solutions emphasize the transition from classical to relativistic mechanics when dealing with high speeds and energies, and introduce the de Broglie hypothesis. These exercises are crucial for understanding wave-particle duality and its implications.
Learning outcomes
- Calculate the speed of electrons accelerated by a potential difference.
- Understand the limitations of classical mechanics at relativistic speeds.
- Apply relativistic energy-momentum relations for high-energy particles.
- Determine the radius of the circular path of electrons in a magnetic field.
- Recognize the conditions under which relativistic formulas are necessary.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Photoelectric Effect
- Electron Emission
- Kinetic Energy of Accelerated Electrons
- Relativistic Mechanics
- Speed of Light Limit
- Electron Beam in Magnetic Field
- Circular Motion of Charged Particles
- Lorentz Force
- De Broglie Wavelength
Important topics
- Relativistic corrections for high-speed particles
- Calculating electron speed from potential difference
- Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields
- Limitations of classical formulas
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Questions and Solutions
Question 11.20
(a) Estimate the speed with which electrons emitted from a heated emitter of an evacuated tube impinge on the collector maintained at a potential difference of 500 V with respect to the emitter. Ignore the small initial speeds of the electrons. The specific charge of the electron, i.e., its e/m is given to be C kg-1.
(b) Use the same formula you employ in (a) to obtain electron speed for a collector potential of 10 MV. Do you see what is wrong? In what way is the formula to be modified?
Solution:
(a) Given the potential difference across the evacuated tube, , and the specific charge of an electron, . We assume the electrons are emitted with negligible initial velocity. The kinetic energy gained by an electron when accelerated through a potential difference V is equal to the work done by the electric field on the electron, which is . Using the classical kinetic energy formula , we can set up the equation:
To find the speed , we rearrange the formula:
Now, substitute the given values:
Therefore, the speed of each emitted electron is approximately m/s.
(b) For a collector potential of , we use the same formula derived in part (a):
Substituting the new potential value:
This calculated speed ( m/s) is greater than the speed of light ( m/s), which is physically impossible. The issue arises because the classical kinetic energy formula is only valid for speeds much smaller than the speed of light (). When speeds approach the speed of light, relativistic effects become significant, and the mass of the electron effectively increases. Therefore, the formula needs to be modified using relativistic mechanics. In the relativistic limit, the total energy is given by , where is the relativistic mass, and the kinetic energy is , where is the rest mass. The relationship between relativistic mass and rest mass is .
Question 11.21
(a) A monoenergetic electron beam with electron speed of m s-1 is subjected to a magnetic field of T normal to the beam velocity. What is the radius of the circle traced by the beam, given e/m for electron equals C kg-1.
(b) Is the formula you employ in (a) valid for calculating the radius of the path of a 20 MeV electron beam? If not, in what way is it modified?
[Note: Exercises 11.20(b) and 11.21(b) take you to relativistic mechanics which is beyond the scope of this book. They have been inserted here simply to emphasise the point that the formulas you use in part (a) of the exercises are not valid at very high speeds or energies. See answers at the end to know what 'very high speed or energy' means.]
Solution:
(a) We are given the speed of the electrons in the beam, m/s, the magnetic field strength T, and the specific charge of the electron C kg-1. Since the magnetic field is normal to the beam velocity, the magnetic force provides the centripetal force required for circular motion.
The magnetic force on an electron is given by (since ).
The centripetal force required for circular motion is , where is the radius of the circular path.
Equating the magnetic force to the centripetal force:
We can rearrange this equation to solve for the radius :
Now, substitute the given values:
Thus, the radius of the circle traced by the electron beam is approximately 0.227 meters.
(b) To determine if the formula used in part (a) is valid for a 20 MeV electron beam, we first need to check the speed of such an electron. The rest mass energy of an electron () is approximately 0.511 MeV. For a 20 MeV electron beam, the total energy is the sum of its rest mass energy and kinetic energy: .
Using the relativistic energy-momentum relation , we can find the momentum . Since 20 MeV is significantly larger than the rest mass energy (0.511 MeV), the electron is highly relativistic (). This means its speed will be very close to the speed of light ().
The classical formula assumes that the mass is constant. However, in relativistic mechanics, the relativistic mass increases with speed according to . At speeds close to , this increase in mass is substantial, and the classical formula is no longer accurate.
Therefore, the formula used in part (a) is NOT valid for calculating the radius of the path of a 20 MeV electron beam. The formula needs to be modified by using the relativistic momentum instead of . The relativistic relation for the radius becomes , where is the relativistic momentum, which can be calculated from the relativistic energy and rest mass energy.
Common mistakes
- Using non-relativistic formulas for high-speed electrons.
- Incorrectly applying the formula for kinetic energy at relativistic speeds.
- Errors in unit conversions, especially with large potential differences (MV).
- Misinterpreting the conditions for relativistic corrections.
Revision tips
- Review the kinetic energy formula and its relativistic counterpart.
- Pay close attention to the units used for potential difference (V vs. MV).
- Understand the Lorentz force and its application to charged particles in magnetic fields.
- Practice problems involving both classical and relativistic calculations to identify the differences.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the primary reason the classical formula for electron speed becomes invalid at very high collector potentials?
Explanation: At very high speeds, the calculated electron speed can exceed the speed of light (c), which is physically impossible. This indicates the need for relativistic mechanics.
Q2. In the context of relativistic mechanics, what is the relationship between total energy (E), rest mass energy (m₀c²), and kinetic energy (K)?
Explanation: In relativistic mechanics, the total energy of a particle is the sum of its rest mass energy and its kinetic energy.
Q3. When an electron beam moves perpendicular to a magnetic field, what kind of path does it trace?
Explanation: The magnetic force acts as a centripetal force, causing the charged particles to move in a circular path when their velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field.
Q4. The formula r = mv/qB for the radius of a circular path is derived from which principle?
Explanation: The radius is determined by equating the magnetic force (Lorentz force) acting on the electron to the centripetal force required for circular motion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the significance of the specific charge (e/m) of an electron in these exercises?
The specific charge (e/m) is crucial for calculating the speed of electrons when accelerated by a potential difference, as it appears in the formula v = (2eV/m)^(1/2).
Why is relativistic mechanics needed for high-energy electron beams?
At very high speeds, approaching the speed of light, the classical formulas for kinetic energy and momentum become inaccurate. Relativistic mechanics accounts for the increase in mass and energy as speeds get very high.
How does a magnetic field affect an electron beam?
A magnetic field exerts a force on moving electrons (Lorentz force). If the field is perpendicular to the beam's velocity, it causes the electrons to move in a circular path.
What is the condition for using the classical formula for the radius of the electron's path in a magnetic field?
The classical formula r = mv/qB is valid when the electron's speed is much less than the speed of light (v << c). For speeds close to c, relativistic corrections are necessary.
What does the note at the end of Exercise 11.21 suggest about relativistic mechanics?
The note highlights that exercises like 11.20(b) and 11.21(b) touch upon relativistic mechanics, which is beyond the typical scope of the book, to emphasize that classical formulas have limitations at very high speeds or energies.
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