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Introduction
The emission and absorption of light was investigated by the German physicist Max Planck
(1858-1947). He attempted to formulate a theory to explain the spectral distribution of
emitted light based on a classical wave model. The discrepancy between classical and
experimental results for the intensity of light emitted from a black body as a function of the
wavelength, known as the ultraviolet catastrophe, forced him to consider a new model for
light called the quantum model. In this model light is emitted in small, discrete bundles or
quanta now called photons. He won a 1918 Nobel Prize for his discoveries in connection
with the quantum theory.
According to the quantum model of light, the energy W of a photon is directly proportional to
its frequency
W = hf
(1)
where h = Planck's constant, f = frequency of the light. According to this model, the higher
the frequency the more energy the photon has.
The quantum theory for the emission of light can be investigated using a photodiode tube. A
photodiode tube consists of two electrodes enclosed in an evacuated glass tube. One
electrode has a large photosensitive surface and is called the cathode or the emitter. The
other electrode is in the form of a wire and is called the anode or the collector. In normal
operation the anode is held at a positive potential with respect to the cathode. When the
cathode is exposed to light, electrons are ejected from its photosensitive surface. These
electrons are attracted to the positive anode and form a current that can be measured with an
electrometer.
The kinetic energy of the ejected electrons is determined by the frequency of the light
striking the phototube. The quantity of ejected electrons is dependent on the intensity of the
light. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is given by:
KE max = hf
(2)
where h = Planck's constant, f = frequency of the light, and is the work function of the
cathode surface.
Q1 - 2
Since the work function, which is the energy required to release an electron from the surface
of the metal, is a constant, the maximum kinetic energy depends directly on the frequency of
the light.
If the potential applied to the anode is gradually decreased and made negative, the electrons
ejected from the cathode will not have enough energy to reach the anode and will be repelled
back to the cathode. At a voltage called the 'stopping potential' the electron current from the
cathode to the anode will become equal to zero. At that point the maximum Kinetic energy
of the electrons is equal to:
KE max = eV s = hf
(3)
-I
Expected Curve
(No Anode Emission)
Experimental Curve
(With Anode Emission)
Stopping Potential
(Same for Both Curves)
Q1 - 3
h/e Apparatus
Lens/Grating
Assembly
Coupling Bars
Assembly
Light
Source
Aperture
Q1 - 4
Setup
Using a normal potentiometric setup to determine the stopping potential (see fig. 1) has the
inconvenience of having to accurately determine the voltage when photocurrent saturates,
which is difficult and varies with the emission of the anode.
Instead, you will use the fact that the photodiode and its associated electronics have a small
capacitance, which becomes charged by the photoelectric current. When this capacitance has
been fully charged, the photocurrent decreases to zero and the potential reaches the stopping
potential of the photoelectrons. This final voltage between the anode and the cathode is
therefore the stopping potential.
Ground
Terminal
ON/OFF
switch
Q1 - 5
3. Check the polarity of the leads from the digital multimeter, and connect them to the
OUTPUT terminals of the same polarity on the h/e Apparatus (red to red, black to
black).
4. Set up the equipment as shown in Figure 3 above. Focus the light from the Mercury
Vapour Light Source onto the slot in the white reflective mask on the h/e Apparatus.
Tilt the Light Shield of the Apparatus out of the way to reveal the white photodiode
mask inside the apparatus. Slide the Lens/Grating assembly forward and back on its
support rods until you achieve the sharpest image of the light source aperture centred
on the hole in the photodiode mask. Secure the Lens/Grating by tightening the
thumbscrew.
Window to White
Photodiode Mask
White
Reflective
Mask
Q1 - 6
8. When you have finished your measurements, switch off the mercury lamp, h/e
apparatus and multimeter.
Analysis
1. Use the wavelengths of each spectral line from the next table to plot a graph of stopping
potential vs. frequency as in Figure 2.
Colour
Wavelength (nm)
Yellow
Green
Blue
Blueviolet
Darkviolet
578
546.074
435.835
404.656
365.483
2. Determine the slope, the x-intercept and y-intercept of the graph in 1 above to find the h/e
ratio, the /e ratio and the threshold frequency of the emissive surface of the phototube.
Solving equation (3) for Vs gives:
Vs =
f
e
e
(4)
This equation theoretically fits this graph you have drawn, and is of the general form:
y = mx + b
where:
m = slope
b = y intercept
3. From this find Plancks constant h, and the work function for the emitting surface.
(5)