By S.J.C.

PROPERTIES OF CATHODE RAYS

1. The rays travel in a straight line:
If we place a solid object in the
path of the rays, they can produce a sharp
To vacuum pump
shadow on a ZnS screen. This indicates
that cathode rays flows in straight line. Pressure reduced to 0.01mm

Sharp Shadow Stop cock

Since the shadow

is formed in front of the Invisible rays
Glass tube
anode. Hence, the
ZnS screen
invisible rays comes from
the cathode to anode. Cathode Anode
(-) (+)
Therefore, the rays is Induction Coil
called Cathode rays I/C
Produce 10,000 V
PROPERTIES OF CATHODE RAYS
2. Cathode rays made up of material
particles:
• If a light paddle wheel mounted with
the help of an axle in the path of To vacuum pump
cathode rays, the wheel rotates, which
indicates that the cathode rays contain Pressure reduced to 0.01mm
material particles (which have mass).
Stop cock

Invisible rays
Glass tube

Cathode Anode
(-) (+)

Induction Coil
I/C
Produce 10,000 V
PROPERTIES OF CATHODE RAYS (-)

3. Cathode rays carry negative charge:

When an external electric field is
applied in the path of cathode rays, they
deviate towards the anode (i.e. positive Pressure reduced to 0.01mm To vacuum pump
electrode) which indicates that the ray
contains negatively charged particles.
- Stop cock

Invisible rays
Glass tube

ZnS layer
+
Cathode Anode

(-) (+)

Induction Coil (+)

I/C
Produce 10,000 V
4. Cathode rays produce X-rays:
When cathode ray strike the surface of a
hard metal like tungsten, electrons is strike
out from the surface of the metal, these Metal
plate
are called X-rays.

Cathode
rays

X- rays
CONCLUSION:
✓CATHODE RAYS CONTAIN METARIAL PARTICLES
✓CATHODE RAYS CONTAIN NEGATIVELY CHARGED PARTICLE
✓THESE NEGATIVELY CHARGED PARTICLES ARE CALLED
ELECTRONS.
USE OF CATHODE RAY TUBES:
1. The television picture tube is an example of cathode ray tube.
Picture is produced when these rays fall on a fluorescence screen
coated with suitable material.
2. Fluorescent light tubes such as neon light used for advertising
purposes are actually cathode ray tube.
3. Tube lights used in homes are cathode ray tubes.
 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
1. What is the origin of cathode rays?
2. What are the uses of cathode tubes?
3. How can you prove that cathodes rays contain material particles?
4. How can you prove that cathodes rays contain negatively charged
particles?
5. What is X-rays?