How can I calculate the deflection of an electron in a cathode ray tube?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the deflection of an electron in a cathode ray tube, specifically addressing the derivation of the deflection formula under the influence of electric fields. Participants explore the equations of motion, acceleration due to electric fields, and the relationship between the velocities in the x and y directions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula for deflection and attempts to derive it using kinetic energy and acceleration due to electric fields.
  • Another participant suggests that the trajectory can be understood as a parabola and encourages the use of initial conditions and acceleration expressions.
  • A participant realizes that the charge travels in straight lines after leaving the deflecting plates and connects the velocities in the x and y directions to derive the deflection.
  • There is a correction regarding the factor of 2 in the formula, with a participant emphasizing the importance of correctly applying the equations of motion.
  • Another participant offers an alternative approach using derivatives and integration to arrive at the deflection formula, referencing the "paraxial ray approximation."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the derivation process, as there are multiple approaches and corrections discussed. Some participants express confusion or differing interpretations of the equations involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention assumptions such as non-relativistic motion and the geometry of the problem, but these assumptions are not universally agreed upon or fully resolved within the discussion.

pmb_phy
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Its funny how one can forget how to do very simple things. :rolleyes:

Here is a problem I've been working on and have a mental block and can't get the darn solution. It's from Krauss's EM text
(page 206 Problem 5-4-12)

Cathode-ray tube. Electric field deflection Show that thte deflection of an electron at the screen of a cathode-ray tube is given by

[tex]y = \frac{V_d l x}{2V_a d}[/tex]

where

y = deflection distance at screen, m
Vd = deflecting potential, V
L = length of deflecting plate, m
x = distance from deflecting plates to screen, m
Va = accelerating potential, V
d = spacing of deflecting plates, m
Note: Assume non-relativistic motion. I'm assuming beam enters between places with d/2 on each side

First thing to do is to find vx which is found from the kinetic energy which it gains as it accelerates through a difference of potential Va. Therefore

[tex]K = \frac{1}{2}mv_x^2 = eV_a[/tex]

solve for [tex]mv_x^2[/tex] to get

[tex]v_x = \sqrt{\frac{2eV}{m}}[/tex]

The y-component of velocity is found through

[tex]F = ma_y = eE_y = eV_d/d[/tex]

[tex]a_y = \frac{eV_d}{md}[/tex]

[tex]y = a_y t^2 = \frac{eV_d}{md}t^2[/tex]

where t is the time it takes the particle to travel a distance l. So t = l/vx. Upon substitution this gives

[tex]y = a_y t^2 = \frac{eV_d}{md}\frac{l^2}{(ev_x)^2}[/tex]

[tex]y = \frac{V_d}{d}\frac{l^2}{2V_a}[/tex]

[tex]y = \frac{V_d l^2}{2V_ad}[/tex]

That's about as far as I've gotten. Unless they were thinking that one should find v_y/v_x and note that v_y/v_x = y/x??

Pete
 
Last edited:
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Okay,Pete,u're on the right track.But u didn't mention what your problem was... :confused: What's buggin'u??

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
Okay,Pete,u're on the right track.But u didn't mention what your problem was... :confused: What's buggin'u??

Daniel.
Sorry Dan. I had to run off in the middle of doling that since my ride showed up early. When I got back I realize my error. So I'll work it out and paste it here anyway. I guess I just needed to describe it to someone else to figure what I did wrong.

Thanks

Pete
 
Last edited:
I still need help here folks. I just can't see how to arrive at that answer. It must be all that snow outside! :smile:

Pete
 
The equations of motion (for connstant acceleration) are:
[tex]v_{x}(t)=v_{0,x}+a_{x}t[/tex]

[tex]v_{y}(t)=v_{0,y}+a_{y}t[/tex]

[tex]x(t)=x_{0}+v_{0,x}t+\frac{1}{2}a_{x}t^{2}[/tex]

[tex]y(t)=y_{0}+v_{0,y}t+\frac{1}{2}a_{y}t^{2}[/tex]


Chose axis of coordinates for your problem in a convenient way (par éxample,the Electric field should be along one of the 2 axis).You know the inital conditions and the expresion for the acceleration (electric force divided by mass).

You need to find the trajectory (namely that parabola arch).From the geometry of the problem,u should get the result pretty easily.

Good luck!

Daniel.
 
It was much easier than I thought. I guess I just didn't make the connection that when the charge leaves the plates they travel in straight lines and therefore vy/vx = y/x.

The charge is accelerated through a potential difference, Va, in the x-direction and it follows from that and K = eVa that

[tex]v_x = \sqrt{\frac{2eV_a}{m}}[/tex]

which can be written as

[tex]\frac{1}{v_x^2} = \frac{m}{2eV_a}[/tex]

The charge travels through the deflecting plates in a time [itex]T = L/v_x[/itex]

The charge will accelerate in the y-direction by the amount

[tex]a_y = \frac{eV_d}{md}[/tex]

Therefore the particle's vy increases from zero to vy as

[tex]v_y = \frac{eV_d}{md}\frac{L}{v_x}[/tex]

Now divide each side by vx to find

[tex]\frac{v_y}{v_y} = \frac{eV_d}{md}\frac{L}{v_x^2}[/tex]

Substitute the expression for the square of vx and substitute

vy/vx = y/x

on the left and multiply by x and the solution yields. Yay! :smile:

Pete
 
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[tex]y=\frac{1}{2}a_{y}t^{2}[/tex]

Pay attention!That's why it wasn't any 2 in your formula...

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
[tex]y=\frac{1}{2}a_{y}t^{2}[/tex]

Pay attention!That's why it wasn't any 2 in your formula...

Daniel.
What is it that you didn't think I was paying attention to Dan?

Pete
 
pmb_phy said:
[tex]y = a_y t^2 = \frac{eV_d}{md}t^2[/tex]


Pete

That's rotten.I cannot believe how u managed to pull it through... :rolleyes:

Daniel.
 
  • #10
I know you've found the solution already, but here's a tidy way to do it.
[tex]{eV_d\over d}=ma_y= m{d^2y\over dt^2} = mv^2\,y''=2eV_a\,y''[/tex]
(which is actually the "paraxial ray approximation", prime is derivative wrt x)
So
[tex]y''={1\over 2d}{V_d\over V_a}[/tex]
Integrate through the plates to get
[tex]\Delta y'={L\over 2d}{V_d\over V_a}[/tex]
and integrate from end of plates to screen to get the desired answer.
 

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