E&M > Magnetic Fields and Forces > Force on Moving Charges DCS# 5H30.20

e/m TUBE

e/m apparatus

APPARATUS
e/m tube 214A
Helmholtz coils 214A
5 kV DC power supply 214A
6.3 V transformer 214-01-D
variac 202-08-H
low voltage DC power supply 214-01-C
video camera 202


DESCRIPTION
This can be used to show that a magnetic field perpendicular to the electron beam deflects the beam along a circular path.


To show crossed fields, or to determine e/m, connect the deflection plates to the 2000 V DC power supply (214A), adjust the voltage so the Coulomb force on the electrons balances the magnetic force, and determine e/m.

NOTES
Helmholtz coils:  Connect jacks labeled "Z" on Helmholtz coils to each other.  Connect those marked "A" to the low voltage DC power supply.
Filament voltage:  Connect 6.3 V transformer to the jacks at back of tube.  Plug the transformer into the variac.  Turn the variac up to about 65.  Light should be seen coming from the filament.  Do not exceed 6 V to the filament.
Accelerating voltage:  Connect the 5 kV DC supply to the jack at the back of tube and the jack along neck of tube which goes to the anode of the electron gun.  Turn the accelerating voltage up to about 2 kV.
Vary the current to Helmholtz coils to show deflection of the electron beam.

We also have the Pasco e/m tube, which can show a complete circular path or helical path, but is not good for showing crossed E and B fields.  The images below are from the Pasco Electron Charge-to-Mass Ratio instruction manual.

pasco e/m tube

For Pasco tube:  filament voltage = 6.3 VAC, accelerating voltage 120-200 VDC, allow tube to warm up, current in Helmholtz coils = 0-3.5 A (r = 15.8 cm, N = 130) or deflect beam with permanent magnet.  Radius can be measured using the mirrored scale.  Don't touch the glass tube.  Don't let the beam strike the glass for long periods of time.