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DEPARTMENT OF PHYHSICS
PHYS1422 – EXPERIMENT 1
INTRODUCTORY EXPERIMENT

PURPOSE: To determine the momentum for an electron in a magnetic field.

THEORY:
In this experiment a beam of electrons is produced in a specially designed 3-electrode electron
tube. The electrons in the beam are allowed to enter at right angles to uniform magnetic field.
This results in a deflection in a circular path whose radius can be varied by changing the
magnitude of the magnetic field. When the electrons move with speed v in a direction
perpendicular to a magnetic field of induction B, they experience a deflecting force of magnitude
evB . This force is the centripetal force which is required to cause the electrons to move in a
circular path of radius r .

Therefore,
𝑚𝑣 2
𝑒𝑣𝐵 = 𝑟
(1)
where, e = charge of the electron
m = mass of the electron and
v = electron speed
𝑚𝑣 = 𝑒𝐵𝑟 (2)
where, mv = the momentum of the electron may be determined if B and r are measured.

The magnetic field is produced by a steady current flowing in a pair of Helmholtz coils. The coils
are connected so that the current flowing in them results in the magnetic fields of the coils being
in the same direction along the axis. The distance between the coils is equal to the radius of either
coil and this arrangement produces a horizontal axial magnetic field which is uniform midway
between the coils. Reversal of the polarity of the EMF driving the current reverses the direction
of the field along the axis.

The magnitude of the field at the central point between the coils is:
2

8𝜇𝑜 𝑁𝐼
𝐵= (3)
√125 𝑅
where,  o  4  10 7 ( H / m)
N = number of turns per coil
I = current in coils
R = radius of each coil
Therefore,
𝐵 = (7.8 × 10−4 ) 𝐼 Tesla (4)

METHOD:

a. Observations
a. The apparatus has been set up. Your demonstrator will show how the readings which you
have been given were obtained.
b. Record your observations about the variation of the radius with current.

b. Data Analysis
a. From equations (2) and (4), obtain an expression for a suitable straight line graph using
the values given in Table 1.
Table 1
CURRENT/A DIAMETER/cm
1.42 7.80
1.36 8.50
1.25 8.80
1.15 9.90
1.10 10.5
0.95 11.9
0.90 12.1
0.83 12.6

b. Plot a suitable graph and determine the momentum from the gradient of the graph.
c. Estimate the accuracy of your determination of momentum.
d. Given that
1
𝑒𝑉 = 𝑚𝑣 2 (5)
2
where, e = charge of the electron
m = mass of the electron and
v = electron speed.
V = accelerating voltage (= 165V)
Calculate the speed of the electron and hence the theoretical value of the momentum.
e. Discuss your results.
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MARK ALLOCATION
Exp. 1 – Introductory Experiment

Table – 1

Graph – 1

Measurements and Calculations – 4

Discussion – 4

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