Trouble w/ electron in a television picture tube. Hints please

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an electron being accelerated in a television picture tube by a potential difference and then passing through two horizontal plates, where it experiences a force that alters its trajectory. The goal is to determine the angle at which the electron travels after passing between the plates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the electron, particularly in the horizontal and vertical directions, and how these relate to the angle of deflection. Some suggest using trigonometric relationships to find the angle based on the deflection distance and the length of the plates. Others explore the use of kinematics to derive formulas for deflection and time.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered hints and guidance on how to approach the problem, including considerations of forces and kinematics. There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to calculate the angle, with some participants sharing their calculated angles and awaiting confirmation from an answer key.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of certain information, such as the teacher's answer key, and express uncertainty about the accuracy of their calculations. There is also mention of the negligible weight of the electron in the context of the forces acting on it.

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Homework Statement


An electron is accelerated horizontally from rest in a television picture tube by a
potential difference of 25,000 V. It then passes between two horizontal plates 6.5 cm
long and 1.3 cm apart that have a potential difference of 250 V, as shown below. At
what angle θ will the electron be traveling after it passes between the plates?

Homework Equations


E=F/Q E=KQ/r^2 F=EQ V=KQ/R E=V/D F=MA

The Attempt at a Solution


I haven't really attempted much, I kind of need a hint to get me started.

I mean, I THINK I know how to solve it but I'm stuck. figure it is accelerated horizontally which would be a force in the X direction, and between the plates it experiences a force in the Y Direction, so you would just do Tan\alpha = Fy/Fx

My Thing is, if this is correct, I have no clue how to GET the force X. I mean, you can find the velocity, idk how I could find acceleration from there for F=MA. Or, you could say Fx=EQ, but then I have no clue how to find an electric field at the beginning.

I'm Also going to try doing the arctan function w/ the velocities, however that will work I shall see. -> Just tried it, I used electron volts to get the P.E which backfired

I don't need it solved for me, I just need a hint or two to get me started.

P.S. Just found this, might help (like on page 6 of google) https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=13031. I'll try it

EDIT: Just Re-did the electron volt thing for velocities, and I got .57 degrees. Doesn't seem right but meh, I'll check it tomorrow. If anyone gets any ideas though I'm open to advice :)
 
Last edited:
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If its asking for the angle of deflection. First.. Ask yourself.. Is their any acceleration in the vertical direction? (assume the electron is being deflected vertically.) If you have an electron go through the plates, there must be some force exerted on it to change its path of motion. When it leaves the plates it will have been deflected a certain distance from its original position. You can use that distance, and the distance of the plates to find the angle.

positive (+)
__________________
|
| dy
(theta) |
---------------------|
dx


____________________
Negative (-)
Not sure if that diagram helps, but you know dx, the distance or length of the plates. you need to find dy, the deflection along the y axis.

Then you can use trigonometry to determine the angle of deflection, which will remain constant even after it leaves the plates, but look at only the moment it leaves the plates and stops being accelerated.

Using kinematics, we can say dy = deflection..

So..

deflection = V_{0y}t + \frac{1}{2}at^2

So because their is no initial velocity in the y direction, we're left with

deflection = \frac{1}{2}at^2

Do you understand the concept?

Now you'll need to make appropriate substitutions for a, and t, using the information the question has provided to derive a usable formula to calculate the deflection, dy. Once you have this, use trig with dx (known) and dy..

If you need any help, ask ill be on for a while. Wont derive it for you :P Make a good effort.
 
*Hint* What is the net force on the electron when it is passing through the plates, weight is negligible.

EDIT: My theta ended up being 0.72 Degrees, if you have an answer key, let me know if this is correct..[/color]
 
Last edited:
Senjai said:
If its asking for the angle of deflection. First.. Ask yourself.. Is their any acceleration in the vertical direction? (assume the electron is being deflected vertically.) If you have an electron go through the plates, there must be some force exerted on it to change its path of motion. When it leaves the plates it will have been deflected a certain distance from its original position. You can use that distance, and the distance of the plates to find the angle.

positive (+)
__________________
|
| dy
(theta) |
---------------------|
dx


____________________
Negative (-)
Not sure if that diagram helps, but you know dx, the distance or length of the plates. you need to find dy, the deflection along the y axis.

Then you can use trigonometry to determine the angle of deflection, which will remain constant even after it leaves the plates, but look at only the moment it leaves the plates and stops being accelerated.

Using kinematics, we can say dy = deflection..

So..

deflection = V_{0y}t + \frac{1}{2}at^2

So because their is no initial velocity in the y direction, we're left with

deflection = \frac{1}{2}at^2

Do you understand the concept?

Now you'll need to make appropriate substitutions for a, and t, using the information the question has provided to derive a usable formula to calculate the deflection, dy. Once you have this, use trig with dx (known) and dy..

If you need any help, ask ill be on for a while. Wont derive it for you :P Make a good effort.

Senjai said:
*Hint* What is the net force on the electron when it is passing through the plates, weight is negligible.

EDIT: My theta ended up being 0.72 Degrees, if you have an answer key, let me know if this is correct..[/color]

Ahh I see, it makes sense now. I can use electric fields to get the force in the Y direction. Then, I figure I can find the x velocity somehow (probably w/ the given 25000 voltage, I'll try it), and then use that for time and so on. I'll try it and get back to you later.

And sorry, but I won't get the answer until Thursday (bcz the teacher hasn't done it yet apparently), but I'll let you know what I get tonight and I'll let you know what the teacher gets once he does it. (I figure that he HAS done it, but lost whatever sheet he had the work and answer on).
 
Alright, I did it and I got 1.4 degrees.

My teacher said he remembers it being around 1 or 1.2 degrees so I think I'm correct. We are going to work it out during tomorrow class.

I'll explain my method later.
 

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