Question

A cyclotron can accelerate

• A. neutrons
• B. $\alpha$-particles
• C. high velocity $\gamma$-particles
• D. high velocity $\text{x-}$rays

Answer 1

The correct option is B $\alpha$-particles

Cyclotron, is an apparatus used to accelerate atomic and subatomic particles by an alternating electric field in a constant magnetic field.

But the cyclotron accelerates only charged particles.

Particles which are electrically neutral or particles having no charge cannot be accelerated by the cyclotron.

Since, Gamma particles, neutrons and $\text{x-}$ rays have zero charge , they can't be accelerated through Cyclotron.

Only $\alpha$-particle $\left(H{e}^{2+}\right)$ having charge $+2e$, and mass $4\text{amu}$ will be accelerated by cyclotron.

Hence, option $\left(B\right)$ is the correct answer.

Note: "amu" is a unit of mass of atomic scale particles which will be discussed in detail in Modern physics.