Exam-style question
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How can the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron be determined using electric fields?.
- A.By measuring the deflection of the electron in a magnetic field
- B.By measuring the voltage across the electron beam
- C.By measuring the radius of the electron's circular path in a magnetic field
- D.By measuring the temperature of the electron beam
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- By measuring the radius of the electron's circular path in a magnetic field
Explanation
Why this works
The charge-to-mass ratio can be determined by observing the radius of the circular path of the electron when it moves through a magnetic field. The radius depends on the velocity of the electron, the magnetic field strength, and the charge-to-mass ratio.
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