An ionized helium atom has a mass of 6.6 × 10-27 kg and a speed of 5.3 × 105 m/s. It moves perpendicular to a 0.78-T magnetic field on a circular path that has a 0.014-m radius. Determine whether the charge of the ionized atom is +e or +2e.

Explanation:

In a magnetic field, the radius of the charged particle is as follows.

             r =

where,   m = mass,      v = velocity

              q = charge,    B = magnetic field

Therefore, q will be calculated as follows.

         q =

            =

            =

            =

            = +2e

Thus, we can conclude that the charge of the ionized atom is +2e.