Electron Physics

A charged body is one which has either more electrons than normal or
less electrons than normal i.e. it has gained or lost electrons.

Electrons are:
negatively charged
can be deflected by electric fields
can be deflected by magnetic fields

The basic unit of charge is denoted by the symbol e and it is the charge
on one electron. e = 1.6x10-19C.

Deflection of charged particles in a uniform electric field

Consider a beam of electrons, moving with velocity v, entering a uniform

electric field of field intensity E. Once inside the field the electrons
experience a force acting towards the positive plate.

Undeviated Path

The magnitude of the force acting on each electron is given by:

F = Eq
Where: E is the electric field strength
Where: q is the charge on the particle
We know that the charge on an electron is e so the equation becomes:
F = Ee
This force acts in the vertical direction so the electron is deflected.
 Vertical motion in the field

There is a vertical force on the electrons causing them to experience an

acceleration towards the positive plate.

We can ignore the gravitational force acting on each electron because the
mass of an electron is negligible.
From Newtons 2nd Law:
F = ma
a = F/m
a = Eq/M
a = Ee/m

Where: m is the mass of an electron = 9.11x10-31kg

Vertical velocity vV is given by:

vV = u + at
u = 0 because the electrons enter the field with only a horizontal velocity.
a = Ee/m
vV = (Ee/m)t

Vertical displacement sV is given by:

sV = ut + at2
sV = (Ee/m)t2

Horizontal motion in the field

Since E acts in a vertical sense, there is no force acting horizontally and

therefore the electrons do not experience an acceleration in the
horizontal direction.
The horizontal component of velocity remains unchanged and so the
horizontal distance travelled is given by:
dH = vHt
Where vH is the velocity of the electrons on entering the field.

Velocity on leaving the field

At the instant the electrons leave the field, they have a horizontal
velocity and also a vertical velocity due to the acceleration experienced

vV v
 due to the electric field: v = at = (Ee/m)t. The electrons leave the field
travelling in a straight line but now at an angle to their undeviated path.

vH
From Pythagoras theorem:
v = ( vV2 + vH2)

The electrons have gained velocity and so they have gained kinetic
energy.

Deflection of charged particles in a uniform magnetic field

Consider an electron moving with velocity v entering a uniform magnetic

field of flux density B which is acting perpendicular to the direction of
motion of the electron.
Using Flemings left hand rule, we can see that there is a force acting
perpendicular to the velocity of the electrons. The magnitude of this
force is given by the equation:
F = Bqv
Where: q is the charge on the particle
Where: v is the velocity of the particle
So the equation becomes:
F = Bev
We can see that the force is constant because B, e and v are constant.
Because the force acts perpendicular to the velocity of the electrons,
the electrons are deflected in a circular fashion. The magnitude of their
velocity is constant however its direction is constantly changing.

Motion of electrons in a uniform magnetic field

Uniform field
B acting down, into the page

Circular deflection

Electron beam
 F = Bev

Flemings left hand rule shows that the force on the electrons in the field
acts perpendicular to their velocity.
The force must be constant (in magnitude) as B, e and v are constant (in
magnitude).
Because the force is perpendicular to the velocity of the electrons, it
causes them to travel in a circular path with a constant speed i.e. it
provides a centripetal force (think of circular motion module 4).
Because the speed of the electrons is constant, their kinetic energy is
constant.
The centripetal force acting on the electrons is given by Bev.
Bev = mv2/r
Be = mv/r
r = mv/Be

Radius of circular path momentum of electron

Measurement of the charge on an electron Millikans oil drop method

Experiment

A potential difference, V, is applied between two parallel plates at a

distance, d, apart.
The top plate has a small hole in it and tiny oil droplets are sprayed
through this hole.
The oil drops are given a charge, q, by friction before they are sprayed
in.
The droplets begin to fall because of their weight, mg.
The potential difference can be varied until a droplet becomes stationary.
We can say that:
Force = Force
 Eq = mg
m is the mass of the oil
But E = V/d
drop we do not need to know
So:
the mass of an electron to
Vq/d = mg
find its charge
q = mgd/V

V, m, g and d can all be found and so we can calculate a value for q. If the
experiment is repeated many times, different values of q can be found.
Each different value of q is a whole number multiple of 1.6x10 -19 the
charge on an electron.
q = ne

The basic unit of charge, e, is 1.6x10-19C and all other charges are
multiples of e. This is known as the quantisation of charge.
charge = constant x charge on one electron

Measurement of the specific charge (e/m) of the electron The crossed

fields method

The specific charge is the charge per kilogram.

It is measured in Ckg-1
Specific charge = charge on electron / mass of electron = e/m.

Method

Electrons are produced from a heated cathode and accelerated towards

the anode because of the voltage, Va This is the accelerating voltage.
After passing through a hole in the anode, the electrons will travel with
constant velocity, v, and reach the screen at point X.

+V
Magnetic field
into page

Undeflected
Voltage, Va
electron beam
Vacuum
X

Cathode (negative)

Anode (positive) Electric field

0V
We can say that the kinetic energy gained by the electron = the work
done in moving it.
mv2 = eVa
e/m = v2/2Va

It would be impossible to find a value for e/m from this equation as the
velocity would be difficult to find.

The Helmholtz coils that produce the magnetic field are switched on and
so the electron beam would be deflected.
The electric field is then switched on and adjusted until the electrons
again travel in a straight line and hit the screen at X.
There is now no deflection even though both fields are on so:
Force due to electric field = Force due to magnetic field
Ee = Bev
v = E/B
e/m = E2/2VaB2
but E = V/d so: Va >> V
e/m = V2/2VaB2d2

It is now possible to get a value for the specific charge because we can
measure V and Va with a voltmeter and d with a metre rule. B comes
from an electromagnet and its value can be easily calculated.

The accepted value for e/m is 1.76x1011Ckg-1.

Knowing a value for e/m and the charge on the electron e, the mass of
the electron can be determined.

The experiment described is called the crossed fields method because

the magnetic field and electric field are perpendicular to each other,
they cross each other.
Electron Physics Example Question: Electrons in Electric Fields

The electric field strength between a pair of plates 4.0cm in length in a

cathode ray tube has a value 23000NC -1. An electron enters the field at
right angles at a velocity of 3.7x10 7ms-1 from left to right. What is the
velocity and direction of the electron as it leaves the field?

Before we attempt our answer, we need to think about how the electron
is going to travel. It is travelling in a straight line as it enters the
electric field. As it goes in, there will be a force acting on the electron
that attracts it to the negative plate. This will cause the electron to
accelerate towards the positive plate. Since its horizontal velocity is
unchanged and its vertical velocity is increasing, it describes a parabolic
path. (If the plates were long enough, or if the electron were slow
enough, the electron would eventually hit the positive plate). The electron
leaves the field and travels again in a straight line, but this time at an
angle to its un-deviated path. We can work out the resultant velocity by
consideration of the horizontal and vertical velocities.
Horizontal velocity remains unchanged at 3.7x10ms -1, since there is no
horizontal force.
We can now work out the upwards force using F = EQ
F = 23000 x -1.6x10-19 = -3.69x10-15N
The minus sign tells us that the force is attractive, and is against the
direction of the field, which is from positive to negative. However we
will ignore the minus sign from now on.
We now need to work out the upwards velocity of the electron, which we
do by multiplying the acceleration by the time. We need to know the
acceleration and the time.

Time taken to travel through the field = distance / horizontal speed

= 0.04m / 3.7x107ms-1
= 1.08x10-9s
Then we use Newtons 2nd Law to find acceleration, a = F/m.

a = 3.69x10-15N / 9.1x10-31 kg = 4.04x1015ms-2.

Upwards velocity = at = 4.04x1015 ms-2 x 1.08x10-9 s = 4.37x106m/s

Now we can do the vector addition to work out the resultant velocity
v2 = (3.7x107ms-1)2 + (4.37x106ms-1)2 = 1.388x1015m2s-2
v = 3.73x107ms-1
Now we can work out the angle of deflection, .
= tan-1 (4.37x106/3.73x107) = tan-1 0.118 = 6.7o
The velocity is 3.73x107ms-1 in a direction of 6.7 o to the horizontal.