Online Class - XII/2077

7TH & 8th CLASS

The electron

(4) Determination of specific charge of an electron by J.J.

Thomson’s experiment.

Nirmal Sharma(NP)
Department of Physics
Golden Gate Int’l college,
Kathmandu
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Specific charge:
The ratio of charge and mass is called specific charge. The specific
charge of an electron is e/m.
Cross fields: If a uniform electric field and a uniform magnetic field
are applied simultaneously and perpendicular to each other in a region
such that a charge particle entering normally into this region passes
undeviated (straight) then, the field are said to be cross field.(i.e.
deflection produced by one field on charged particle is cancelled by
+
deflection produce by other field)
In this case,
P
electrostatic force = magnetic force x x x x B
qE=Bqv v x x x x x
Or v= E/B x
x x x x
x
Q

_
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Determination of specific charge of an electron by J.J. Thomson’s experiment.

V1
H.T.B. (V) +
_ S1
+

C A P
x x x x B
e- H v x x x x x S
x
x x x x
x
Q

S2
_
Fig. J.J. Thomson's exp. Fluorescent screen

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The charge mass ratio of an electron is called its specific charge(e/m) and is
determined by J.J. Thomson experimentally. The experimental arrangement is as
shown in fig. It consists of discharge glass tube( at low pressure 0.01mm of Hg)
with fluorescent screen which enclosed two electrodes; cathode ‘C’ and anode ‘A’
with a hole ‘H’. When cathode is heated by filament ‘F’, electrons are emitted and
accelerated towards anode by high P.d. ‘V’ between C and A. After passing
through hole ‘H’ of anode electrons are collimated as narrow beam and is
subjected to cross field( electric field E is produced by two parallel plates P &Q
and magnetic field B by current carrying coil) and after reaching screen a
luminous spot is seen.
In the absence of both electric & magnetic field , the electrons move
straight and strike the screen at point ‘S’ and produce luminous spot. If electric
field alone is applied, the electron deflected upward and strikes at S1 and if
magnetic field alone is applied, it is deflected downward and strikes at point S2.
Now both field are applied in such a way that deflection produce by one field
cancelled by other field then the electron passes without deviation and strikes at
point S. In this case, Electric force = magnetic force
Or eE= Bev
Or v=E/B ……….(1) this is the velocity of electron while
entering into cross field.
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When electron is accelerated by P.d. ‘V’ between C & A, K.E. gains is given by
{½}mv2 = eV Where ‘m’ and ‘e’ are mass and charge of electron

By knowing the value of V1 , d, V, and B we can calculate e/m .The experimental

value calculated by J. J. Thomson was 1.76x1011 C/kg.

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 Short Questions

Q No. 1 What is cross field?

Q No 2. Differentiate between electric charge and specific charge of an electron.

Q No.3 How can mass of an electron be determined?

From Millikan's oil drop experiment, e=1.6x10-19C
From J. J. Thomson's experiment e/m=1.76x 1011C/Kg
Dividing we get, m=…….

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 Numerical
Q. N0 1. Electrons are accelerated from rest by a p. d. of 100V. What is their final
velocity? The electron beam now enters normally into 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.
P. D. (V) = 100 V
Velocity(v) =?
Electric field(E) = 105 V/m
Magnetic field intensity (B)=?
When an electron is accelerated by p. d. V
K.E. gain = workdone by potential(qV)
1 In cross field, eE= Bev
mv2=eV
2
Or E=Bv
2eV
v= =….. Or B=……..
𝑚

v= 6x 106m/s, B=1.7x10-2T

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 HOMEWORK

Q No2 . In a Thompson’s experiment , voltage across the plates is 50 V and the

distance between them is 3cm. The magnetic field applied to make the beam
undeflected is 10-4 T. What is the velocity of electron passing between the plates?
eE=Bev and E=V/d
Answer, v= 1.6x107m/s

Q No3. A beam of electrons is under the potential difference of 1.36x104V applied

across two parallel plates 4 cm apart and magnetic field of 2x10-3T at right angles to
each other. If two field produce no deflection in the electronic beam, calculate (i)
the velocity of electrons (ii) the radius of the orbit in which the beam will move, if
the electric field is made zero.( mass of electron =9.1x 10-31 kg)
mv2
(i) eE=Bev and E=V/d (ii ) for magneticfi eld alone  Bev
r

Answer, v=1.7x108m/s, r=0.48m

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Extra Question No. 4 An electron beam after being accelerated from rest through a
potential difference of 5000V in vacuum is allowed to impinge normally on a fixed
surface. If incident current is 50mA, determine the force exerted on the surface
assuming that it brings the electrons to rest. (e=1.6x 10-19C, m=9.1x 10-31 kg)

P.d.(V)=5000V Change in momentum mv  0 mv

Force   
Current(I)= 50x 10-3 A time t t
F=? mv
e=1.6x 10-19C, Total F  n .......(1)
t
m=9.1x 10-31 kg

1 q ne
(𝑖)
2
mv2=eV (ii) I   From equation (1)
t t F=…….
2eV n I
v= =….. or   ......
𝑚
t e

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