Motion of Electron Beam in Cross Field

Cross Field :The uniform electric and magnetic fields acting mutually perpendicular
to each other is called cross field.
The magnitude and
direction of both
fields are so adjusted
that the deflection
product by one field
on charged particle is
cancelled by the
deflection produced
by the other. Thus
the beam is un
deflected while
passing through the
cross field as shown
in Fig.
Consider a beam of electron is moving with the velocity v in the electric
field E and magnetic field B.
The force on electron due to electric field is
Fe =eE
The force on electron due to magnetic field is
Fm= Bev
When the beam is un deflected, then
magnetic force (Fm)= electric force (Fe)

Bev= eE
𝑬
or, v =
𝑩
The motion of beam of electrons in cross field is used in electronic devices
like television, Computer etc.
Problem: In a Thomson experiment , voltage across the plate is 50V and the
distance between them is 3cm.The magnetic field applied to make the beam un
deflected is 10-4T. What is the velocity of the electron passing between the plates?
Solution:
Applied magnetic field (B) = 10-4T
Distance between two plates (d) = 3cm= 0.03m
potential difference across the plate (V) = 50V
Velocity of the electron (v) = ?
We have, for the un deflected beam in electric and magnetic field,
FB =Fe
Bev = eE
Bv = E
𝑬
v=
𝑩
𝑽
v=
𝒅𝑩
50
=
0.03 x 10−4
= 1.67 x 107m/s Which is the required velocity
of electron.
 Problem: A beam of electron is under potential difference of 1.36 x 10 4 V applied across two parallel
plates 4 cm apart and in a magnetic field 2 x 10-3 T at right angle to each other. If two fields
produces no deflection in the electronic beam, calculate
i. The velocity of electrons
ii. The radius of orbit which the beam will move , if the electric field is made zero.
Given Mass of the electron m = 9.1 x 10-31 kg
Solution:
Potential difference V = 1.36 x 104 V
Distances between the plates d =0.04m
Magnetic field B = 2 x 10-3 T
Mass of the electron m = 9.1 x 10-31 kg
Velocity of the electron v = ?
Radius of the orbit r = ?
Case I:
Since the electron beam is not deflected,
Magnetic force Fm = Electric force Fe
Bev = eE
v = E/B
= V/dB
= 1.36 x 104 /0.04 x 2 x 10-3
= 1.7 x 108m/s Which is the required velocity.
Case II:
If the electric field is made zero, then magnetic force provides the centripetal forc
mv2
Bev = r

mv
r = Be

9.1 x 10−31 1.7 x 108

=
2 x 10−3 1.6 x 10−19
= 0.48m
Which is the required radius of the circular path
Determination of Specific Charge (e/m) of an electron by Thomson’s experiment
:
Determination of Specific Charge (e/m) of an electron by
Thomson’s experiment :
The specific charge
i.e. charge to mass
ratio (e/m) of an
electron was
determined by sir
J.J.Thomson in
1897. He is
credited with the
discovery of
electron.

Fig-: Thomson's apparatus for determination of e/m.

 Principle:
This experiment is based on the principle that when the electron beam is
subjected to the two mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields (i.e.
Cross field) it experiences forces. By adjusting the magnitude and direction of
two fields, the net force acting on the electron is made zero and the beam is
un deviated.
Experimental set up:
The experimental arrangement for determination of specific charge of an
electron is shown in Fig: The apparatus consists of highly evacuated
discharge tube with fluorescent Screen. There are two electrodes, one is
cathode C and another is anode A. A uniform electric field E is applied in
down ward direction through the two horizontal metal plates P and Q.
However, a uniform magnetic field B is applied in this region by passing
electric current through two coils, each placed on either side of the tube.
This magnetic field is in inward direction and is perpendiculår to the electric
field.
When the high voltage is applied between cathode and anode, a narrow
beam of cathode rays is emitted from cathode to anode. This beam is
allowed to pass between two plates P and Q and then strikes the
fluorescent screen and luminous spot is seen. When both electric and
magnetic fields are not applied, the beam of cathode rays moves straight
and strikers at the centre O' of the screen.

When a uniform electric field E is applied between two plates P and Q, the
beam is deflected upwards, towards the positive plate and strikes on the
screen at 'R.
The force acting on the electron in electric field is
Fe = eE…..i, where e is charge of an electron
When a uniform magnetic field B is applied perpendicular to the
beam then it is deflected down ward in a circular path and then
strikes the screen at 'S' .The force acting on the electron in
magnetic field is
Fm = Bev …….ii
Where 'v' is velocity of electron in a magnetic field. The beam of
electron is un deflected in the cross field if the resultant force
acting on the electron is zero.
For this condition,
magnetic force on electrons (Fm) = electric force on electron (Fe)
or, Bev = eE

E
v = ……..iii
B
Let 'm' be the mass and V be the potential difference between
cathode C and anode A .When the electron is accelerated from C
to A, the gain in K.E is given by
K.E= eV
1 2
mv = eV
2
e v2 ……..iv
=
m 2V

e (E/B)2 from iii

=
m 2V
e E2
=
m 2B2V
If V’ is the p.d. between the two plates & d is their separation.
Then,
𝑉′
E= d
e (𝑉 ′ ) 2
=
m 2B2d2V

knowing the values of V’ , V, B, and d the value of specific charge

e/m of an electron can be determine. Experimentally it is found
that the value of e/m for an electron is 1.76 x 1011 C/kg.
There is no direct method to find the mass of an electron.

But by knowing the charge e of an electron and specific charge e/m, the mass of an
electron can be determined.

e
i.e.
e/m

1.6 x 10−19
=
1.76 x 1011

= 9.1 x 10-31kg
 Problem: Electron is accelerated from rest with potential difference of 100 V. What
is their final velocity ? The electron beam now enters normally a uniform electric
field of intensity 105 V/m. Calculate the flux density B of a Uniform magnetic field
applied perpendicular to the electric field if the path of the beam is unchanged
from its original Direction. Assume e/m= 1.8 x 1011 C/kg.
Soln:
P. d ‘V’ = 100 V
Electric field intensity ‘E’ = 105 V/m
Sp. charge (e/m) = 1.8 x 1011 C/kg
Final velocity (v) = ?
Flux density of a uniform magnetic field (B) = ?
Since, the kinetic energy acquired by the electron is equal to the work done
on it.
1 2
i.e mv = eV
2
2eV 1/2
v=( )
m
v = 6 x 10 6 m/s
Which is the velocity of the electron.
Here, as the electron remains un deflected so,
i.e. Fe= Fm
or, eE = Bev
or, B = E/v
= 105/6x 10 6
= 0.017 T.
Hence, the magnetic flux density is 0.017 T
Problem: An electron having 450 eV of energy moves at right angles
to a uniform magnetic field of flux density 1.5 x 10-3 T. Find the
radius of its circular orbit. Assume that the specific charge of the
electron is 1.76 x 1011 C/Kg.
Soln:
Energy of an electron ‘E’ = 450 eV
Potential difference ‘V’ = 450 V
Sp. charge of an electron e/m = 1.76 x 1011 C/Kg.
Magnetic flux density ‘B’ = 1.5 x 10-3 T
1 2
As the electron moves with velocity ‘v’ then energy of the electron is eV = mv
2
2eV 1/2
so, v= ( )
m
 But, for the electron to be in the circular orbit, the force on electrons due
to the magnetic field provides the necessary centripetal force so,
mv2
Bev =
r
mv
r=
Be
m 2eV 1/2
r= x( )
Be m
1
2mV 1/2
r= x( )
B e
i.e r = 4.8 x 10-2m
Hence, the radius of the circular orbit is 4.8 x 10-2m
Problem: Specific charge of a particle is 4.4 x 107C/kg. It is moving in
a circular orbit with a velocity 3.52 x 105 m/s in a magnetic flux
density 0.4T. Find the radius of its orbit.

Sol":
Specific charge of a particle (e/m) = = 4.4 x 107Ckg-1
Velocity of a particle (v) = 3.52 x 10 ms-1
Magnetic flux density (B) = 0.4T
Radius of the circular orbit (r) = ?

When a charged particle is moving in a circular path in magnetic field, then

Centripetal force = Magnetic force
mv2
Bev =
r
When a charged particle is moving in a circular path in magnetic
field, then
Centripetal force = Magnetic force
mv2
Bev =
r
so, r = mv/Be
𝑣
r=
𝐵𝑒/𝑚
3.52x 105
=
0.4 x 4.4x 107

= 0.02m
Hence, the radius of the circular orbit is 0.02m.
SAQ. An electron and a proton move with the same speed in
a uniform magnetic field of equal magnitude. Compare the
radii of their circular path.

ANS. The radius of circular path covered by a charged particle moving in a

magnetic field of
flux density B is given by
r = mv
Bq
, where 'm' is the mass of charged particle, 'v' be velocity

and 'q' be the charge of particle. Since mass of proton is greater than
mass of electron, the radius of proton is greater than the radius of electron
for same speed and charge in a magnetic field.
Photons
Photons
According to quantum physics that beam is made of zillions of tiny packets of light,
called photons, streaming through the air. But what exactly is a photon?

Definition
A photon is the smallest discrete amount or quantum of electromagnetic radiation. It is
the basic unit of all light.

Photons are always in motion and, in a vacuum, travel at a constant speed to all
observers of 2.998 x 108 m/s. This is commonly referred to as the speed of light,
denoted by the letter c.
As per Einstein’s quantum theory of radiation, photons have energy
equal to their oscillation frequency ‘f’ times Planck’s constant ‘h’ and
expressed as
E = hf………..i
Where h = 6.62x 10-34Js
If λ is the wave length of the radiation, then we have,
Velocity of light c = f λ
i.e f = c/ λ using it in equn i we get,
E =hc/ λ
If Photon of mass m is moving with velocity c then, According to
Einstein’s mass energy relation,
E = mc2
hf = mc2 from i
m =hf/c2
This is the effective or equivalent mass of a photon.
Properties of Photons
•They have no electric charge so are not deflected by electric and magnetic field.
•They only exist as moving particles.
•They carry energy E and momentum which are dependent on the frequency and is
expressed as
E= hf
c
=h where c is the velocity of light, λ its wavelength and h is the
λ
planks constant.
•The momentum of photon is given as
hf hf hf h
P= 2c = = = where c is the velocity of light
c c λ𝑓 λ
• The frequency of photon does not change as it moves from one medium to another
medium but the wavelength and velocity changes.
•They travel in straight path with the speed of light.
• It has both particle and wave nature.
• It exerts force and pressure when strikes on the surface.
Problem: A Photon of green light has a wave length of 520nm. Find
i. The frequency of photon
ii. The Magnitude of momentum
iii. Energy
Express the energy both on joules and electron volt.

Solution:
Given
Wave length λ = 520nm
= 520 x 10-9m
To find,
i. frequency of photon f =?
ii. The Magnitude of momentum p=?
iii. Energy E =?
We have,
c =f λ
c
So f =
λ
 3 x 108
f=
520 x 10−9

f = 5.77x 1014Hz
Also we have,
h
Momentum p =
λ
6.6 x 10−34
=
520 x 10−9

= 1.27 x 10-27Ns
Now, energy of photon ,E = hf
= 6.62 x 10-34 x 5.77 x 1014
= 3.82 x 10-19J
Now, as 1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19J
3.82 x 10−19
here., E =
1.6 x 10−19

= 2.83eV
Quantum Nature of Radiation
The quantum theory of radiation was proposed by Max Plank.

According to this theory, the energy is discrete and is radiated or absorbed

in the form of packets called quanta. The quantum (or packet) of energy is
called photon. The energy of photon is given by
E = hf
Where,h is Planck's constant whose value is 6.626 x10-34 JS and f is
frequency of radiation.The energy of photon is the basic unit of energy and
it depends on the frequency of radiation. The higher is the frequency, the
larger will be the energy of photon and vice-versa
 Photo electric Effect
When light or electromagnetic radiation falls on a metal Surface, some
electrons near the surface absorb enough energy from incident radiation
to overcome the attraction of the positive ions and then it emits the
electrons.

The phenomenon of emission of electrons from metal surface when light

of suitable frequency or wavelength incident on it called photoelectric
effect. The electrons emitted from metal surface in photoelectric effect are
called photoelectrons.
The photoelectric effect depends on the following factors:
1.Frequency of incident light.
2.Intensity of incident light.
3.Photosensitivity of the metal surface.

The alkali metals like cesium, potassium, sodium, lithium etc. are
suitable for photoelectric emission. These metals are sensitive to
visible light.

Photoelectric effect is one to one interaction i.e one photon can

only interact with one electron.
Important Terms
1. Photo electrons

The electrons which are emitted from the metal surface when light
of certain frequency incident on it, are called photoelectrons.

These electrons are highly energetic. The maximum energy of a

photoelectron is given by
K.Emax=1/2mv2 Where m is mass and Vmax is maximum velocity
of a photoelectron.
Work function:
The minimum energy of incident photon or radiation which is required to just emit an
electron from the metal surface is known as work function of that metal. The work
function is equal to the ionization energy of an atom. It is denoted by φ or Wo.
The work function of a metal is given by

φ = hfo
Where,
h = 6.626 x10-34 Js is Planck's constant and fo is threshold frequency.

Since, velocity of light (c) = λofo

c
fo = where, λo threshold wavelength.
λo
hc
So, φ =
λo
The work function depends on nature of the metals. Work Function of cesium is
1.9eV,Sodium is 2.3eV,Silver is 4.3eV