Question 10: Can neutron be accelerated in a cyclotron? Give reason.

ANSWER

Cyclotron

A cyclotron is a device which accelerates charged particles which then enter a magnetic field. In the magnetic field it is deflected by the magnetic force according to the mass of the particle.

Now a neutron is a neutral particle. It cannot be accelerated by a cyclotron.

Reason

The reason is that the neutral particle cannot be affected by the electric field of the electric or the magnetic field of the cyclotron. Therefore, it will not be accelerated or deflected in the cyclotron.