An `alpha`-particle and a proton are released from the centre of a cyclotron and made to accelerate. Can both be accelerated at the same cyclotron frequency ? Give reason to justify your answer.

Explanation

Cyclotron frequency `n=(1)/(2pi)((q)/(m))B`
For a proton, `(q)/(m)=(e)/(m_(p))`
for an `alpha`-particle `(q)/(m)~~(2e)/(4m_(p))=(1)/(2)(e)/(m_(p))`
As `n prop(q)/(m)`, they cannot be accelerated at the same cyclotorn frequency.