What is cyclotron?

Answer 1

The Principle of the Cyclotron

The principle involved in the construction and

operation of the cyclotron follows a very logical

line of thought. Lawrence supported the idea of

hitting the atom with particles of like size matter

moving at great velocities. He assumed that if

atoms could be hit by very minute particles traveling

at a terrific rate the structure of the atom

surely would be disarranged to some extent, just

as a block of wood is shattered by a bullet. These

particles used in the cyclotron are usually heavy

hydrogen ions; that is, hydrogen atoms that have

lost their outer electron and became protons of

hydrogen. The source of these heavy hydrogen

atoms is deuterium oxide, commonly known as

heavy water.

When an atom of an element is hit by one of

these protons, it may do one of several possible

things. First it may accept the proton into its

nucleus (thus changing its mass and atomic

weight), while keeping many of its original properties.

If the binding force in the atom itself is

not great enough to withstand the impact of the

proton, the atom will split into new atoms each

with their own systems of electrons. Often the

bombarded atom refuses either to accept the bombarding

particles into its system or to break up

into new atoms, but merely "boards" the proton

long enough to convert it into energy. Since the

atom has no real need for this extra energy, it

starts to give energy back immediately in much

the same manner as radium. This condition, which

has been created in practically every metal known,

is referred to as artificial radioactivity.

Uses of the Cyclotron

The newest use of the cyclotron is in the production

of artificially radioactive substances.

These substances find unlimited use as "tracers"

in plant processes and human diseases. By injecting

artificially radioactive phosphorus, for example,

into certain bacteria, it is possible to actually

follow the course of the bacilli as they seek

their way into tissues.

Professor Lawrence, aided by his cyclotron, has

made several remarkable discoveries which are

aiding greatly in the understanding of those diseases

such as cancer. He has discovered that different

types of cancer cells assimilate the element

phosphorus at different rates, thus introducing a

new method for the possible identification and

classification of these cells. It has also been found

practical to use artificially radioactive substances

in place of radium for effective treatment of cancer.

These "artificial radiums," produced by bombardment

of certain material, are not only much

less expensive and less difficult to secure, but their

activity can be limited, thus reducing many of the

dangers that often arise from the use of natural

radium. Professor Lawrence has found that

these radioactive materials in many cases are

much better for treatments than radium. The

rays produced by these substances act with much

Answer 2

A cyclotron is an apparatus whereby the subatomic and charged atomic particles are accelerated by an alternating electric field.