Maltese Cross tube

Cathode rays
 AIM

To study the properties of

cathode rays
 Material & Apparatus

Magnetic bars
Connecting wires
Maltese Cross tube
Extra High Tension (E.H.T.) power supply
6 V a.c. power supply
 Set Up Apparatus

Maltese Cross
E.H.T.
power
supply

Filament
and
cathode Anode Fluorescent
screen
 Method
1. The 6 V a.c. power supply is connected
to the heating filament.
2. The positive terminal of the high voltage
supply is connected to the anode and
Maltese Cross.
3. The negative terminal of the high
voltage supply is connected to the
cathode.
 Method
4. The 6 V a.c. power supply is switched on
the shadow formed on the screen is
observed.
5. The E.H.T. power supply is switched on.
The voltage is increased slowly from zero
to 2 kV. The colour of the screen and
the shadow formed on the screen are
observed.
 Method
6. A strong magnet is placed at one side of
the tube. Any changes on the shadow
formed is observed.
 Observation
When 6 V a.c. power supply is switched on,

Explanation
The dark shadow is formed because light travels in straight line.
Part of light is blocked by the Maltese Cross.
 Observation
When 6 V a.c. power supply and E.H.T. is switched on,

Explanation
The bright green light is produced where the electrons strike on the
fluorescent screen.
The dark shadow is formed because electron beam is blocked by the
Maltese cross.
This proves that electron beam also travels in straight line.
 Observation
When north pole of a magnet is placed at one side,

Shadow cast by light

N
Shadow cast by electron
beam

Explanation
The shadow cast by light is not affected by the magnet.
The shadow cast by the cathode ray is moved downwards and
distorted.
This proves that cathode ray can be reflected by magnectic field.
The deflection of cathode ray by magnetic field can be determined
by Flemings Left Hand Rule.
 Conclusion
1. Cathode rays travel in straight line.
2. Cathode rays carry momentum and
energy.
3. Cathode rays produce fluorescence when
they strike on the fluorescent material.
4. Cathode rays can be deflected by
magnetic field.