Paper 1, Section II, B
Part II, 2012
A particle of mass and charge moves relativistically under the influence of a constant electric field in the positive -direction, and a constant magnetic field also in the positive -direction.
In some inertial observer's coordinate system, the particle starts at
with velocity given by
where the dot indicates differentiation with respect to the proper time of the particle. Show that the subsequent motion of the particle, as seen by the inertial observer, is a helix.
a) What is the radius of the helix as seen by the inertial observer?
b) What are the and coordinates of the axis of the helix?
c) What is the coordinate of the particle after a proper time has elapsed, as measured by the particle?