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SCHOOL OF PHYSICS

Physics 1001: Laboratory 1.

Charged Particle In A Magnetic Field.

Your name/student number:_________________________________

Date:_________ Markers signature:______________ Mark:______

Pre-lab Question 1: What is the aurora and, briefly, how does it work? (If your text book doesnt
have enough information look on the web).

Pre-lab Question 2: Show that the velocity, v, of an electron accelerated by a potential


difference, VA, is proportional to (VA)0.5.

Pre-lab Question 3: Given that the Earths magnetic field strength in Perth is 5.8x10-5 Wb m-2,
what is the maximum displacement of the beam spot due to the Earth
expected for this experiment if the accelerating voltage is 300V?

Part 1. Deflection of an electron beam by magnetic fields.


Make your measurements of the deflections for various accelerating voltages, VA, and solenoid currents, iS,
and record them in the table below. As the undeflected position of the beam is unlikely to be central record its
displacement from the centre line in the direction the beam spot moves when a magnetic field is applied, and
then use this value to convert the rest of the positions you measure into true deflections. As you will need to
manipulate VC to focus the beam onto the screen, you will also need to calculate iS / (VA)0.5 for each deflecting
voltage.

Table of deflections at various accelerating voltages and solenoid currents.


VB
VC
VA=VB+VC
Positions for solenoid currents of:
i 1= 0 A
i 2=
i 3=
i 4=
i 5=
Deflections (position at current i position at 0 A) and ratio iS / (VA)0.5 at solenoid currents of:
Defl. iS / (VA)0.5 Defl. iS / (VA)0.5 Defl. iS / (VA)0.5
i 2=
i 3=
i 4=
i 5=

Now plot the deflections against the ratio iS / (VA)0.5.

Plot of deflections vs. iS / (VA)0.5.


Are your experimental results consistent with the theory? Explain any discrepancies, and the sources of any
inaccuracies that may have affected your results.

Part 2. Earths magnetic field.


What direction does the ambient magnetic field point in where you are performing this experiment?

Do you think any part of this field is due to sources other than the Earth? Why?

What is the maximum displacement of the beam spot due to the ambient field? __________ mm.

What accelerating voltage are you using? __________ V.

Calculate an estimate of the strength of the ambient field:

____________________.

Part 3. Leybold apparatus.


Describe below what you have observed happening in the Leybold apparatus.

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