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Question

Which of the following are the properties of an electron?

1) Electron is a constituent of cathode ray

2) Electron is a negatively charged particle

3) The mass of the electron is equal to the mass of the proton

4) Electron is deflected by the electric field but not by magnetic field

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2015 GAT Previous Year Paper (16-Dec-2015)
The correct answer is

1 and 2 only

Analyzing Electron Properties

Let's carefully examine each statement about the properties of an electron to determine which ones are correct.

Statement 1: Electron is a constituent of cathode ray

Cathode rays are streams of fast-moving particles that originate from the cathode (negative electrode) and travel towards the anode (positive electrode) in a discharge tube when a high voltage is applied. Experiments conducted by J.J. Thomson demonstrated that these rays consist of negatively charged particles, which he later identified as electrons. Therefore, this statement is correct.

Key takeaway: Cathode rays are essentially beams of electrons.

Statement 2: Electron is a negatively charged particle

Electrons are fundamental subatomic particles. They carry a fundamental unit of negative electric charge, denoted as $-\text{e}$. The magnitude of this charge is approximately $1.602 \times 10^{-19}$ Coulombs. This negative charge is one of the defining properties of an electron. Therefore, this statement is correct.

Key takeaway: The electron possesses a negative charge.

Statement 3: The mass of the electron is equal to the mass of the proton

Protons and electrons are both fundamental particles found in atoms, but they have significantly different masses. The mass of a proton ($m_p$) is much greater than the mass of an electron ($m_e$). Approximately, the mass of a proton is about 1836 times the mass of an electron. So, $m_p \approx 1836 \times m_e$. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

Key takeaway: Protons are much more massive than electrons.

Statement 4: Electron is deflected by the electric field but not by magnetic field

Electrons are charged particles. Charged particles experience forces when placed in both electric and magnetic fields. An electric field exerts a force $\vec{F}_E = q\vec{E}$ on a charge $q$. A magnetic field exerts a force $\vec{F}_B = q(\vec{v} \times \vec{B})$ on a charge $q$ moving with velocity $\vec{v}$. Since electrons are charged particles ($q = -\text{e}$), they are deflected by both electric fields and magnetic fields (provided they are moving in the magnetic field). Therefore, this statement is incorrect as it claims they are not deflected by a magnetic field.

Key takeaway: Electrons are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields.

Summary of Electron Properties Analysis

Based on the analysis of each statement:

  • Statement 1: Correct
  • Statement 2: Correct
  • Statement 3: Incorrect
  • Statement 4: Incorrect

The correct statements are 1 and 2.

Conclusion on Correct Electron Properties

The properties of an electron correctly described in the statements are that an electron is a constituent of cathode rays and that it is a negatively charged particle. The mass of an electron is not equal to the mass of a proton, and electrons are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields, not just electric fields.

Therefore, the statements that are properties of an electron are 1 and 2.

Revision Table: Key Electron Properties

Property Description Correctness of Statement
Constituent of Cathode Ray Yes, cathode rays are streams of electrons. Statement 1 is Correct
Electric Charge Yes, electrons have a negative charge. Statement 2 is Correct
Mass compared to Proton Electron mass is much smaller than proton mass. Statement 3 is Incorrect
Deflection by Fields Electrons are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields. Statement 4 is Incorrect

Additional Information on Electron Behavior

Electrons are fundamental particles that play a crucial role in electricity, chemistry, and physics. They are found in electron shells surrounding the nucleus of an atom. Their wave-particle duality is a core concept in quantum mechanics.

  • Discovery: The electron was discovered by J.J. Thomson in 1897 through his work on cathode rays.
  • Charge Quantization: The charge of an electron is the elementary charge, meaning all observable electric charges are integer multiples of the electron's charge magnitude (or proton's charge).
  • Spin: Electrons possess an intrinsic angular momentum called spin, which is a quantum property.
  • Interactions: Electrons interact via the electromagnetic force.
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Similar Questions

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    1. So that the charge accumulated on the aircraft in flight, by rubbing the air, can easily be transferred to ground on landing.

    2. So that the charge accumulated due to the operation of various electronic equipments in the aircraft in flight can easily be transferred to ground on landing.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
  2. A positive charge is moving towards south in a space where magnetic field is pointing in the north direction. The moving charge will experience :

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    3) Lightning conductors take all the charge (current) to deep down in the earth

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  5. Two point charges of 4 C and 16 C are kept at a distance of 0.18 m. A third point charge of 1 C is kept between them such that the potential energy of the system is minimum. What is the magnitude of the electric field at the location of the 1 C charge?


Important Questions from Electric Charge

  1. Which of the following expressions correctly represents the SI unit of electric charge, the Coulomb ($C$), in terms of other fundamental or derived SI units?

  2. Suppose every second 1016 electrons come out of a body and move to another body, then the time is required to get a  total charge of 3.2 C on the other body is:
  3. An object is found to have a net negative charge of $-5 \text{ nC}$. How many excess electrons are present on the object? (Given: elementary charge $e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}$)
  4. A metallic sphere, initially possessing a positive electric potential relative to the Earth, is connected to the Earth by a conducting wire. Which of the following accurately describes the primary charge movement that occurs until equilibrium is reached?
  5. Two point charges, $Q_1 = +3 \mu C$ and $Q_2 = -8 \mu C$, are placed at a certain distance apart. They attract each other with a force of $48 N$. If each charge is given an additional charge of $+6 \mu C$, what will be the magnitude and nature of the new force between them?

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