Electrons in rectilinear uniform motion

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SUMMARY

Electrons in rectilinear uniform motion will interact with an external magnetic field, resulting in a deviation from their original path. This phenomenon is responsible for image distortion in older tube televisions when a magnet is brought close to the screen. The electrons, while initially in uniform motion, experience curvature in their trajectory due to the magnetic field, leading to visual distortions. This effect has been demonstrated in educational settings, such as Walter Lewin's lectures available through MIT's OpenCourseWare.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electromagnetism principles
  • Familiarity with electron behavior in electric and magnetic fields
  • Knowledge of tube television technology
  • Awareness of energy loss in accelerating charges
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Lorentz force and its effect on charged particles
  • Explore the principles of electromagnetism in practical applications
  • Study the construction and operation of cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions
  • Watch Walter Lewin's lectures on electromagnetism available on MIT's OpenCourseWare
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electronics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the practical effects of magnetic fields on electron motion.

crx
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Im wondering if electrons in rectilinear uniform motion will 'feel' an external magnetic field...?
 
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Yes, they will, but once they enter a region of non-zero magnetic field, they will no longer be in rectilinear motion. Their path is curved.
 
Yes they will.
This is the reason why image gets distorted when you bring a magnet close to one of those "old" tube-televisions. Electrons hit the screen in order to produce the collors you see. They're in a (approximately) uniform rectilinear motion (they really aren't, since there's always some energy lost when accelerating charges). When you bring a magnet close to it, the electrons are deviated from original path, and you will see some distortion in the image.

I don't recommend you try this at home if you still want to use the television after the experiment (I've done this a few times as a child, and once I did it in the computer screen - WOW, it was really fun. Pity it left a permanent damage in the screen, and my parents didn't share the same artistic tastes as me). I've seen this experiment in one of Walter Lewin's lectures in MIT's OCW, but I'm sure you may find it in Youtube as well.
 

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