Wikipremed Physics Question - Magnetism

[organesha]

I'm having trouble seeing the logic in the correct answer to this question:

http://www.wikipremed.com/01physicscards.php?card=732

I answered (B) because radius is proportional to momentum (mv), so wouldn't the particles with the greatest momentum have the greatest deflection? Even after reading the description, I don't understand how particles with the least momentum have the greatest deflection.

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[Odi]

Hold my beer...

As radius increases to infinity, you essentially have a flat line for a circle meaning a very low deflection path. Remember that a circle with a large radius "curves slower" than a circle with a smaller radius.

Radius is inversely proportional to the amount of deflection.

 

[E pur si muove]

Just think.. whats easier to change direction? Something heavy or something light? Something light! So a light object will deflect more.. (Just trying to simplify)

 

[organesha]

Got it. I was equating radius with amount of deflection. Thanks!