CRT Monitor Student Information Sheet (Abdul.

)
Structure of a Cathode Ray Tube Monitor:
Figure 1 Retrieved from Physics Principles with application, written by Douglas C.
Giancoli

Figure 1 illustrates some of the key components of a CRT.

Function and physics principles involved in the CRT monitor:

1. A transfer of electric potential energy to the cathode transforms into heat
energy causing vibrations in the cathode which then again transforms into
electrical potential energy via the emitted electrons from the cathode.
2. The anode attracts the electrons, as it is positive. (Remember that,
opposite charges attract.)
3. Electrons pass through a hole in the anode and reach the deflection plates.
The deflection plates can be surrounded by an electric field or a magnetic
field produced by an electromagnet.
4. A varying voltage supply to the deflection plates causes the electrons to
deflect to a particular part of the screen. The varying voltage supply
creates fields of different strengths, directing the electrons. Upon impact
with the phosphoric screen, it emits light as phosphoric substances do
when hit with electrons and hence an image is displayed on the monitor.
- It should be noted that an electron experiences a force in both an
electric and a magnetic field. This is an important physics
principle which allowed for the development of the CRT monitor.
This relationship between electricity and magnetism is an
important feature in many physics development over the course
of history, and is a key focus in our current module.
- It should also be noted that cathode rays were not established to be
electrons until later, hence their name. They were originally thought to be
waves by renowned scientist Heinrich Hertz.
- A Cathode is a negative electrode, an anode is a positive electrode and a
cathode ray is a beam of electrons. (An electrode is a conductor of
electricity.)

There always needs to be a power source for the

cathode.
Figure 2 on the right is an illustration of an ordinary CRT
monitor that students may have encountered before.

Some impacts on understanding in physics

because of the invention of CRT monitors.

Invention of the
Cathode Ray Tube

Invention of television

Discovery of XDiscovery of
Rays
electrons.
X-Ray
Image
crystallography
monitors
& machine.
The invention of theDiscovery
CRT led toofmany developments in understanding
physics. Although it atomic
should be understood that the CRT wasnt the
nucleus.
direct basis for these further developments, however invention of the
CRT lead to greater understanding of physics which in turn lead to
greater advance with physics.
X-Ray crystallography was extremely vital to uncover DNA.

Brief historical outline:

-

Julius Plucker is the first person credited for noticing behaviour of cathode
rays in a magnetic field. (He wasnt fully aware of the significance at the
time.
A physicist by the name of Karl Ferdinand Braun was the first however to
utilise this observation and construct the first known model of a CRT which
is the basis for current day CRT monitors.
It was not until J.J. Thompson that cathode rays were identified as particles
with a negative charge, which further developed understanding of major
principles, concepts and ideas in physics.

Impact of invention of the CRT monitor on society:

A more united society in that, invention of the television and monitor
which utilised Cathode Ray Tubes allowed for a quicker and more efficient
transfer of information over long distances.
Connected society with current affairs and offered a new source of
entertainment.
However it was also the reason for more isolation in physical interaction
between people.
Further development of technology due to greater understanding of
physics as a ripple effect of CRT invention had a vital impact on society in
terms of medicine, entertainment and so forth.