A-Level Physics Specification

AQA 7408

Section 12.1: The discovery of the electron

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#12.1.1

Cathode rays

Production of cathode rays in a discharge tube.

#12.1.2

Thermionic emission of electrons

The principle of thermionic emission.

Work done on an electron accelerated through a pd V;
\(\dfrac{1}{2}mv^2 = eV \)

#12.1.3

Specific charge of the electron

Determination of the specific charge of an electron, \(\dfrac{e}{m_e}\), by any one method.

Significance of Thomson’s determination of \(\dfrac{e}{m_e}\)

Comparison with the specific charge of the hydrogen ion.

#12.1.4

Principle of Millikan’s determination of the electronic charge, e

Condition for holding a charged oil droplet, of charge Q, stationary between oppositely charged parallel plates.

\(\dfrac{QV}{d} = mg \)

Motion of a falling oil droplet with and without an electric field; terminal speed to determine the mass and the charge of the droplet.

Stokes’ Law for the viscous force on an oil droplet used to calculate the droplet radius.

\(F = 6πηrv \)

Significance of Millikan’s results.

Quantisation of electric charge.