THERMIONIC EMISSION

Cathode Rays
When certain metal filaments are heated, electrons on their surface may gain enough thermal
energy to escape. This release of high speed electrons from the surface of a hot filament is
known as thermionic emission.

Beams of electrons released during thermionic emission are called cathode rays.

Properties of cathode rays

 They have a negative charge
 They travel at very high speeds
 They are deflected towards the positive plate in an electric field.

 They are deflected according to Fleming’s left hand rule in a magnetic field.(flow of
convetional current is opposite to direction of cathode rays)
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Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Basic structure

The cathode ray oscilloscope consists of three parts. These are the electron gun, the deflection
system and the screen. The electron gun consists of the anode and the cathode. The deflection
system consists of the X-plates and the Y-plates.

Part Function
Electron gun Heater/fillament Heats the cathode.
Cathode Emits electrons when hot
Anode Accelerates and focuses electron
beam
Deflection system Y-plates Deflects beam of electrons
vertically
X-plates Deflects beam of electrons
horizontally
Fluorescent screen Displays the pattern of movement
of the beam.

Function
The cathode ray oscilloscope can be used among other things to
 measure potential difference.
 measure short time periods.
 display waveforms of alternating potential difference.
Input voltage is applied across the Y plates.

Physics Notes: Thermionic Emission & Introductory Electronics leemok productions©2013

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INTRODUCTORY ELECTRONICS
Circuit Components
Colour coded resistors
Resistors are used in electrical circuits to control the amount of current flowing through the
circuit.

First Band – 1st digit of the resistance

Second band – 2nd digit of the resistance
Third band – no of zeros.
Fourth band – tolerance.

Diode
A diode is a circuit component which allows current to pass in one direction only.

Circuit symbol

Physics Notes: Thermionic Emission & Introductory Electronics leemok productions©2013