Question #83765
Could the electron beam in an oscilloscope tube (cathode-ray tube) be used as a compass? How? What advantages and disadvantages would it have in comparison with a conventional compass?
Expert's answer
Sure it could.
Lorentz force (caused by Earth magnetic field) acts on moving electrons, the displacement in vertically is proportional to the angle between beam direction and south-north direction.
Disadvantages - this way is expensive, inconvenient, not-reliable.
Advantages – in principle may be automated and very precise.
