Movement of electron in an nonuniform E and B fields

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of the smallest potential difference (U) required for thermoelectrons to reach the anode in a cylindrical system with nonuniform electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields. The derived equation for U is given as U = 2(e/m)(I^2/c^2)ln(a/b), contrasting with a textbook solution. Participants analyze dimensional consistency and unit conversions, particularly in cgs units, to validate the calculations. The conversation highlights the importance of dimensional analysis in physics, especially when dealing with electromagnetic systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetism principles, specifically electric and magnetic fields.
  • Familiarity with dimensional analysis in physics, including M, L, T, Q notation.
  • Knowledge of thermoelectronic emission and its governing equations.
  • Proficiency in using cgs units for physical calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of potential difference in cylindrical geometries using Maxwell's equations.
  • Learn about the applications of dimensional analysis in physics, focusing on electromagnetism.
  • Explore thermoelectric effects and their implications in modern physics.
  • Investigate the differences between cgs and SI units in electromagnetic theory.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism and thermoelectronics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the application of dimensional analysis in complex systems.

sergiokapone
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Homework Statement


The system consists of a long cylindrical anode of radius a and a coaxial cylindrical cathode with radius b (b <a). On the axis of the system has a thread with a heating current I,
creates in the surrounding magnetic field.
Find the smallest potential difference between the cathode and anode, whereby thermoelectrons with zeros initial velocity will reach the anode.

Homework Equations


Equations of motion
$$\ddot{x} = \frac{e}{m}\frac{Ux}{r^2\ln{b/a}} - \frac{e}{mc}\dot{z} B_y$$
$$\ddot{y} = \frac{e}{m}\frac{Uy}{r^2\ln{b/a}} + \frac{e}{mc}\dot{z} B_x$$
$$\ddot{z} = \frac{e}{mc}(\dot{x} B_y - \dot{y} B_x)$$
and
$$\vec B = \frac{2I}{cr^2}(-y\hat e_x + x\hat e_y )$$

The Attempt at a Solution


From equation for \ddot zI found
$$\dot z = \frac{2eI}{mc^2}\ln{\frac{r}{b}}$$
Near anode:
$$\dot z(r=a) = \frac{2eI}{mc^2}\ln{\frac{a}{b}}$$

From the Energy conservation law:
$$\frac12 m v_a^2 = eU$$

I get
$$U = \frac{2eI^2}{mc^4}\ln^2{a/b}$$

The solution in textbook is differ from above:
$$U = 2\frac{e}{m} \frac{I^2}{c^2}\ln a/b$$
 
Last edited:
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Hi know nothing about the subject, but I can see that your answer, with c4 in the denominator, is dimensionally wrong. You should be able to find an error by going through your working to find where a dimensional inconsistency crept in.
 
dimension of charge from ma = q^2/r^2
$$q^2 = \frac{g\cdot cm^3}{c^2}$$
Dim of U is q/cm
Thus
$$\frac{q}{cm} = \frac{q\cdot q^2}{c^2\cdot g} \frac{c^4}{cm^4} = \frac{q\cdot \frac{g\cdot cm^3}{c^2}}{c^2\cdot g} \frac{c^4}{cm^4}.$$

It seems, with dimension everything ok.
 
sergiokapone said:
dimension of charge from ma = q^2/r^2
$$q^2 = \frac{g\cdot cm^3}{c^2}$$
Dim of U is q/cm
Thus
$$\frac{q}{cm} = \frac{q\cdot q^2}{c^2\cdot g} \frac{c^4}{cm^4} = \frac{q\cdot \frac{g\cdot cm^3}{c^2}}{c^2\cdot g} \frac{c^4}{cm^4}.$$

It seems, with dimension everything ok.
You've lost me completely with that analysis. Can you express all of these variables in the standard M, L, T, Q dimensional notation?
E.g. your ma=q2/r2 looks like it translates to MLT-2=Q2L-2, which is clearly not true.
What is g?
 
sergiokapone said:
I get
$$U = \frac{2eI^2}{mc^4}\ln^2{a/b}$$
This looks correct.
The units seem to check out (cgs system), although I don't follow your unit analysis in post #3.
 
haruspex said:
You've lost me completely with that analysis. Can you express all of these variables in the standard M, L, T, Q dimensional notation?
E.g. your ma=q2/r2 looks like it translates to MLT-2=Q2L-2, which is clearly not true.
What is g?

Ok. I use cgs units
Unit of square of charge
$$Q^2 = \frac{M\cdot L^3}{T^2}$$
Dimension of U in cgs is QL^{-1}
Thus
$$\frac{Q}{L} = \frac{Q\cdot Q^2}{T^2\cdot M} \frac{T^4}{L^4} = \frac{Q\cdot \frac{M\cdot L^3}{T^2}}{T^2\cdot M} \frac{T^4}{L^4}.$$
 
sergiokapone said:
Unit of square of charge
$$Q^2 = \frac{M\cdot L^3}{T^2}$$
Ok, I am guessing that this is a quantum analysis trick that fixes some physical constant which, to most physicists, has dimension, as a dimensionless 1, thereby deriving a translation between dimensions which would conventionally be taken as independent. E.g. c=1, so L=T, or something like that.
 
sergiokapone said:
Ok. I use cgs units
Unit of square of charge
$$Q^2 = \frac{M\cdot L^3}{T^2}$$
OK. One thing that confused me in post #3 was your use of ##c## to apparently denote seconds. You wrote ##q^2 = \frac{g \cdot cm^3}{c^2}##
 
TSny said:
OK. One thing that confused me in post #3 was your use of ##c## to apparently denote seconds. You wrote ##q^2 = \frac{g \cdot cm^3}{c^2}##
Yes, sorry :sorry:. c is the seсond, but in cyrillic notation, I forgot.
 
  • #10
sergiokapone said:
c is the seсond, but in cyrillic notation, I forgot.
Ah. Interesting.
 

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