Measurement of the velocity-momentum-energy relations of relativistic electrons and determination of e/m. Energetic electrons from the beta decay of 90SR and its decay product 90Y are sorted according to momentum by a 180 degree magnetic spectrograph, passed through a velocity selector, and detected by a PIN diode detector.
Plots of momentum and energy vs. velocity are compared with the theoretical relations of classical and relativistic dynamics, and the value of the ratio e/m is derived from the data.
Lab Guide (PDF)
Relativistic dynamics lab. (Image courtesy of Junior Lab staff.)
References
Thomson, J. J. "Cathode Rays." Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science 44 (1897): 77-100.
Emilio, Segre. "Radioactive Decay." In Experimental Nuclear Physics. Vol. 1. New York, NY: Wiley, 1953, pp. 1-39.
———. "Passage of Heavy Particles through Matter." Section 2.1B-D in Experimental Nuclear Physics. Vol. 1. New York, NY: Wiley, 1953, pp. 231-252.
Evans, Robley Dunglison. "Beta-Ray Spectra." Chapter 17 in The Atomic Nucleus. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1955, pp. 536-566.
Bleuler, Ernst, and George J. Goldsmith. "Range and Energy Loss of Alpha Particles," and "Radiations of Cu(64) (Zn(65))." Experiment 19 and 23 in Experimental Nucleonics. New York, NY: Rinehart, 1952, pp. 275-282 and 3341-354.
Ritson, David M., "General Properties of Particles and Radiation." Chapter 1 in Techniques of High Energy Physics. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, 1961, pp. 1-53.
England, J. B. A. "Magnetic Spectrometers for Beta Particles and Electrons." Section 4.2 in Techniques in Nuclear Structure Physics. Vol. 2. New York, NY: Wiley, 1974, pp. 349-383. ISBN: 9780470241615.
Evans, Robley Dunglison. "Statistical Fluctuations in Nuclear Processes." Chapter 26 in Atomic Nucleus. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1955, pp. 746-772.
Selected Resources
Stopping Power and Range Tables for Electrons
Clark, J. W. "A New Method for Obtaining a Uniform Magnetic Field." Rev Sci Inst 9 (1938): 320-322.
Purcell, Edward M. "Electric Conduction in a Magnetic Field: The Hall Effect." Section 6.9 in Electricity and Magnetism. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 1984, pp. 241-245. ISBN: 9780070049086.
———. "Exact Relations Among SI and CGS Units." Appendix E in Electricity and Magnetism. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 1984, pp. 473-475. ISBN: 9780070049086.