Photoelectric Effect Experiment

Aim: - To Find the value of Plank’s constant and Photoelectric work function of the wall of
the cathode using photo electric cell.
Apparatus: - A vacuum type photocell enclosed in tight box, Volt meter, Nano ammeter,
Mercury vapour amp and light filters

Theory: - Photoelectric effect is a phenomenon of emission of electrons from a metal

surface when light of suitable wavelength falls on it. The electrons emitted are
known as a photoelectrons. Metals like sodium, potassium and cesium emits
electrons even in visible light falls upon them, where as zinc, cadmium etc., are
sensitive only ultraviolet light liberate the photoelectrons from them. Light of
shorter wavelength are effective in producing photoelectrons than the longer
wavelengths. The Photoelectric effect is also observed in non-metals but it requires
more frequency electromagnetic waves.

Laws of photoelectric emission: -

1. The emission of photoelectrons takes place only when frequency of incident
radiation is above certain critical value of that metal. These critical values are
different for different metals. This critical frequency is called as Threshold frequency
of the metal.
2. The emission of photoelectrons are liberated from the metal surface as soon as
suitable frequency (above Threshold frequency) light fall upon them, i.e., no time
lag between incident of photon and emission of photoelectron.
3. The kinetic energy of photoelectron depends on the incident photon frequency
and independent on intensity of photon
4. The number liberated electrons are depending on the intensity of photon and
independent on the frequency of the photon.
A Vacuum type Photo electric (emissive) Cell consists of a glass or a quartz bulb trading
as it is to be used with visible or ultra violet light. It consists of a cathode “C” use from of a
Semi-cylindrical plate having a large surface area and anode “A” in from a straight wire or
a wire frame as shown in Figure. 1. When the cell is to be used with visible light a sensitive
material like sodium, potassium or cesium is posited on the cathode whereas for the ultra-
violet light cadmium is posited on cathode. To get a greater number of photoelectrons in
visible light, compound metals like cesium on silver oxide (Ag-0-Cs), Antimony cesium
alloy (Sb-Cs) or a gently developed combination of bismuth silver oxygen cesium (Bi-Ag-
O-Cs) are used photocathode materials.

The current in the vacuum type (emissive) cell is small. To increase the current in
the cell is filled with an inert gas like Neon or Argon at a pressure of a few millimeter of
mercury.
A simple circuit showing the working of a cathode in Figure. 2. If a light of suitable
wavelength is allowed to fall on the Cathode “C” it liberates the electrons. When the
Anode “A” is maintained at a photo potential the electrons are attracted towards Anode
and conventional current lows in the external circuit. If Anode “A” is maintained at a
negative potential then electrons are repelled by Anode “A” and a smaller number
reaches it and the current is decreases in the external circuit. At certain negative potential
in the Anode “A” the current in the external circuit become zero due to no photoelectrons
are reaches to Anode “A”. This particular Potential is called the Stopping Potential (Vs) or
Cut of Voltage.
1
𝑉𝑠 𝑒 = 𝑚𝑉𝑚2
2
Where Vs is the stopping potential
m is the mass of the electron =9.1 x 10-31 kg
e is the charge of an electron= 1.6 x 10-19 C
and Vm is the maximum velocity.

2𝑉𝑠 𝑒
𝑉𝑚 = √
𝑚
The velocity of ejected electrons increases with increase in frequencies of the incident
light. If V0 is the threshold frequency the energy required to eject the electrons just out of
the metal surface is given by

𝑊0 = ℎ𝜗0
Where W0 is known as photoelectric work function.
In photoelectric effect all of its or none of incident photon energy is transferred to

the electrons in the metal. If incident photon frequency is 𝜗> 𝜗0 falls on the
photosensitive metal, some portion of the energy of incident photon is used to eject the
electron come out of the metal (Photoelectric work function) and remaining energy is
utilized as kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectron.

1
I.e., = 𝑚𝑉𝑚2 + 𝑊0
2

= 𝑉𝑠 𝑒 + ℎ𝜗0
𝑉𝑠 𝑒 = ℎ𝜗 + ℎ𝜗0
𝑉𝑠 𝑒 = ℎ(𝜗 + 𝜗0 )
𝑉𝑠 𝑒 = ℎ∆𝜗
𝑉𝑠
ℎ=𝑒
∆𝜗
 Thus, graph between stopping potential Vs and frequency of incident light 𝜗 is a
ℎ
straight line. The slope of the straight line 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑒

ℎ = 𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
∆𝑉𝑠
ℎ=𝑒
∆𝜗
Connection Diagram:

Figure. 3 Photoelectric effect experiment setup

Procedure: -
1. Connect the circuit as per connection in the diagram
2. Connect the lamp source to the main supply. Arrange the lamp in front of the of
the photo cell
3. Switch on the trainer set & lamp source wait for the light to becomes sharp. (Vary
the lamp intensity from apparatus whenever intensity control written on panel)
4. In the trainer set, Range switch should be on the 2 µA or 20 µA before connecting
the photocell cable.
 5. Make sure that the zero setting in the ammeter reading zero otherwise make it
zero by using set zero knob on the panel
6. Connect the photocell cable to the trainer unit. The microammeter reads the
current in positive side on the display
7. Now check with whole light for maximum. Micro sensitivity in the micro ammeter
by varying distance between photocell and lamp source
8. Now place the filters in between the mercury source and photocell in slot provided
on the lamp photocell box.
9. Now increase the voltage by varying knob slowly and see the microammeter
reading slowly decrease and reaches to zero.
10. Make the micro ammeter reading zero by voltage variation. Note down the point
at which the micro ammeter becomes zero or nearly zero. This point is called
stopping potential V1
11. Note down the stopping potential of another filter too. Change the filter and
repeat the procedure 9 & 10 again
Sl. No Filter Wavelength “λ” Frequency Stopping Potential in
Names in nm 𝐶 “V” in volts
𝜗 = in Hz
𝛌
1 Blue 475 V1=
2 Green 510 V2=
3 Yellow 570 V3=
4 Orange 590 V4=
5 Red 650 V5=

Graph: -
Draw the graph between the stopping potential

Vs and frequency 𝜗 as taking the frequency on X – axis

and Stopping potential on Vs in Y – axis. Model graph
as shown in below figure.
∆𝑉𝑠
ℎ=𝑒
∆𝜗
Precautions: -
1. While adjusting the ammeter reading at zero mark and voltmeter reading 0 volt,
no light should fall on the photocell.
2. The distance between the mercury lamp and the photocell should be kept
constant during the experiment.
Result: -
1. The Value of Plank Constant h=_________________ J.S
2. The photoelectric work function w=___________________ J