PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

Nurlina*), Muh. Rizal Mustari, Rahmat Hidayat Edy, Reni Mardawati N

Modern Physics Laboratory Physics Department FMIPA

Universitas Negeri Makassar

Abstrack. After done measurement about photoelectric effect. Objectives of this experiment are to observe the
light as a particle based on quantum theory and to determine the Planck’s constant ℎ. The experiment required a
monochromatic source of light, and the ability to measuring the light frequency and the photoelectron energy. In
this experimen, we measuring the electron energy by operating the photocell in reserve. The photocathode is
connected to the positive terminal of a power supply and the anode to the negative. The first objective is done by
using blue flter and manipulating the barrier voltage, while the second objective is done by using variation of
filter and calculate ℎ based on the slope of graph. From the experimen result, concluded that as a particle, light is
not depend on the light intensity and we got the experimentally value of ℎ is |6,37 ± 0,09|10−34 𝐽𝑠.

KEYWORD: photoelectric, Planck’s constant, light intensity, slopping voltage

INTRODUCTION detected outside of the tube. From these

In this experiment about photoelectric
effect will answered how the behavior of light
as particles by quantum theory and to
determining the value of Planck constants. The
photoelectric effect is a physical phenomenon
that was first discovered by Hertz in 1887
when it demonstrated the existence of
electromagnetic waves. In the experimental
apparatus consisting of a transmitting antenna
(transmitter) and receiver wave (receiver),
Hertz observed that sparks that arise in the
receiver will be more apt to occur if the
electrode where the spark was lit by the light
coming from the sparks interest fire on the
transmitter. A year later, Hallwachs observed
that a zinc plate, which is more negative than
the environment, will experience a release of
electrons when illuminated with ultraviolet
light. After the discovery of cathode rays were
identified as negative charges flow, only then
was transmitting elektronlah the reasons for
this process.
Semi-quantitative analysis of the
symptoms of the photoelectric effect was first
performed by Philips Lenard in 1902. In his
experiments, Lenard use divakumkan a glass
tube in which there are two electrodes. One of
the electrode is called the cathode light
(photocathode) which is made from aluminum.
Cathode is irradiated with light. Other
electrode, called the anode, given electric
potential U is more negative toward the
cathode. If the electrons are negatively charged
e can pass the potential difference between the
two electrodes, the current in the circuit will be
experiments, Lenard observed that there was a
surge if the absolute value of the potential well
below a threshold value. This threshold value
depends on the light source he used.
At that time, theoretical physics can not
explain the observations Lenard and in this
impasse , came a clerk in the Swiss patent
office to office technician third class , Albert
Einstein. Einstein by using Planck's idea of
quanta gives a theoretical explanation of the
photoelectric observations of symptoms.
In the latter part of his paper entitled On
a heuristic point of view concerning the
production and conversion of light which was
published in 1905 , Einstein showed that there
has been no direct experimental evidence for
the existence of light quanta. With this concept
of light quanta , Einstein explained the
photoelectric effect by experimental data well .
In an effort that explanation , Einstein
formulated the equation that links between
threshold potential Uo monochromatic light
with frequency v used in illuminating the
cathode is - eUo = hv - W. Against this
equation , Einstein wrote , " If the result of the
decline of this equation is true, then Uo graph
that plots made in Cartesian coordinates as a
function of the frequency of light emitted , will
obtain a linear line , the slope of this line is not
affected by the type of cathode materials that
we use in the experiment. "
THEORY
When a negatively charged isolated
metal plate is irradiated by ultraviolet light
(Fig. 1) the electric charge on the plate
decreases, as was found in 1887 by Heinrich
Hertz (1858 – 1894) and later ini 1895 through
more detailed experiments by Wilhelm
Hallwachs (1859 – 1922). This means that
electrons must have left the plate.
The light-induced electron emission can
be quantitatively measured with the device
shown in Fig. 2. The irradiated plate within an
evacuated glass bulb serves as cathode, which
is opposed by a similar plate with positive
voltage that forms the anode of an electric
diode. The photocurrent 𝐼𝑝ℎ (𝑈) is measured
as a function of the voltage 𝑈 between cathode
and anode. The measurements show that
𝐼𝑝ℎ (𝑈) starts already at slightly negative
voltages 𝑈0 (the anode has a negative voltage
𝑈0 against the cathode, rises with increasing
voltage until it reaches a saturation value that
depends on the radiative power incident on the
cathode (Fig.2).
FIGURE 1. Experimental arrangement of
Hallwachs for the demonstration of the
photoelectric effect
When electrons can reach the anode
with a negative bias voltage −𝑈 ≥ −𝑈0 they
must have been emitted from the cathode with
a kinetic energy
FIGURE 2. (a) Phototube for measuring the
photoinduced electic current 𝐼 as a function of
the applied voltage; (b) Photocurrent 𝐼𝑝ℎ (𝑈)
Einstein was able to explain Lennard’s
experimental resullts in 1905 using the model
of light quanta (photons). Each absorbed
photon transfers its energy ℎ𝑣 completely to an
electron inside the metal, which is bound to the
metal.
The maximum kinetic energy of the
photon electron is then
𝐸𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 = ℎ𝑣 − 𝑊𝑎 ... (1)
In the experiment this maximum kinetic
energy can be determined from the bias
voltage −𝑈0 at which the photocurrent start.
𝐸𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑒𝑈0 ... (2)
FIGURE 3. Plot of the maximum bias voltage
𝑈 as a function of the frequency 𝑣 of the
incident light
𝑒𝑈0 = ℎ𝑣 − 𝑊𝑎 ... (3)
EXPERIMENT METHODOLOGY
In this lab, we need apparatus of
Planck’s constant measurement and some
filters.
There are two activities here, they are:
Activity I. In this activity, we want to know the
influence of light intensity to current by
manipulate the stopping voltage Vs.
FIGURE 4. Apparatus of photoelectric
experiment.
 First, adjust the position of the light
source of the sensor (35 cm). Adjust the
position of the current multiplier to 0,01. Then,
put a blue filter on the tube window. Adjust the
light intensity to current legible on screen, such
as 3,0 µA. Measuring stopping voltage at that
position. After getting a stopping voltage,
setting a smaller barrier voltage from stopping
voltage (V < Vs). Turning up the intensity and
observe changes in the current. Setting the
barrier voltage stopping voltage (V = Vs).
Turning up the intensity and observe changes
in the current. Barrier voltage larger set of
stopping voltage (V > Vs). Turning up the
intensity and observe changes in the current.
Activity II. For the second activity, we
will see the influence of the frequency to the
stopping voltage by using some variations of
filter. First, changing the blue filter to red (use
tissue to change it).
FIGURE 5. Experimental setup for the 2nd
activity
Setting the barrier voltage to zero. Adjust the
intensity to get the current. Measuring the
stopping voltage in this position. Continue the
measurement by using another filter.
RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS
Result of observation
Activity I
Table 1. Relation between voltage and intensity
Voltage Influence of Intensity to Current
V < Vs  energy received will increase. Consequently,
V = Vs - the photoelectric current is also increased.
V > Vs -
The theory of the photoelectric effect
must explain the experimental observations of
the emission of electrons from an illuminated
metal surface.For a given metal, there exists a
certain minimum frequency of incident
radiation below which no photoelectrons are
emitted. This frequency is called the threshold
frequency. Increasing the frequency of the
incident beam, keeping the number of incident
photons fixed (this would result in a
proportionate increase in energy) increases the
maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons
emitted. Thus the stopping voltage increases.
The number of electrons also changes because
the probability that each photon results in an
emitted electron is a function of photon energy.
If the intensity of the incident radiation is
increased, there is no effect on the kinetic
energies of the photoelectrons.
For a given metal and frequency of
incident radiation, the rate at which
photoelectrons are ejected is directly
proportional to the intensity of the incident
light. Increase in intensity of incident beam
(keeping the frequency fixed) increases the
magnitude of the photoelectric current, though
stopping voltage remains the same. Kinetic
energy photoelectrons does not depend on light
intensity. Light intensity affects the number of
photoelectrons emitted at the time of the
photoelectric effect.
Explanation of classical physics, (1) the
need for threshold frequency for the
photoelectric effect. Based on classical
physics, the photoelectric effect occurs or not
depends on intentsitas light, not the light
frequency. (2) Potential slopping is not depend
to the light intensity. In classical physics , the
potential value of this should depend on the
intensity of light due to the higher intensity of
the light energy is absorbed by the electron so
that 𝐸𝑘 is also getting bigger. (3) There is no
time delay between exposure to the
photoelectric current. According to classical
physics, if the light intensity is very weak it
will take quite a long time for the electron to
collect energy that can escape from his bonds.
(4) Photoelectric current is proportional to the
light intensity. According to classical physics,
if the light intensity is increased the electron
the resulting energy is also increased so that
Explanation by quantum theory. (1) If
the photon energy exceeds the electron energy
electron bunch is likely to escape. Because the
photon energy depends only on the frequency From the graph, we got
the greater the frequency tingggi energy. (2) 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
The amount of electron kinetic energy equal to 𝑦 = 0,398𝑥 − 1,4956
the photon energy minus energy electron Because,
bunch. Because the process of energy transfer ℎ𝑣 = 𝑒𝑉𝑠 + 𝑊0
from photons to electrons going one on one 𝑒𝑉𝑠 = ℎ𝑣 − 𝑊0
then the magnitude of the electron kinetic 𝑉𝑠 = (ℎ⁄𝑒)𝑣 − (𝑊0 ⁄𝑒)
energy depends only on the magnitude paa So,
energy photons that hit. (3) Based on Einstein ℎ
's postulates, the release of electrons can occur =𝑚
𝑒
without significant time delay, for loose or ℎ =𝑚×𝑒
absence of electrons is not determined by how By 𝑒 = 1,602 × 10−19 ,we got the Planck’s
much the amount of energy collected electrons, contant experimentally is
but is determined by how much energy ℎ = 0,398 × (1,602 × 10−19 ) × 10−14
photons striking the electrons . Due to energy ℎ = 0,637596 × 10−33 𝐽𝑠
transfer from photon to electron collisions ℎ = 6,37596 × 10−34 𝐽𝑠
between particles resemble, then no need to For Degree of Certainty (DC)
delay. (4) The increase in the intensity of the 𝐷𝐶 = 𝑅 2 × 100%
photon count showed an increase that hit the 𝐷𝐶 = 98,51%
metal surface. This resulted in increasing the Relative Uncertainty 𝑅𝑈 is
electron count of the metal - released photo . It 𝑅𝐶 = 100% − 𝐷𝐶
is clear that the higher the light intensity the 𝑅𝐶 = 1,49%
greater the photoelectric current generated. So,
∆ℎ = 𝑅𝐶 × ℎ
Activity II ∆ℎ = 0,095 × 10−34 𝐽𝑠
Table 2. Relation between frequency and stopping So,
voltage
ℎ = |6,37 ± 0,09|10−34 𝐽𝑠
Color Wavelength Frequency
Vs (V)
Filter (nm) (x1014 Hz) Table 3. Comparison of h in experiment and h in
Red 635 4,72 0,35 theory
ℎ (experiment) ℎ (theory)
Orange 570 5,26 0,61
|6,37 ± 0,09|10−34 𝐽𝑠 6,622 x 10-34 Js
Yellow 540 5,56 0,77
Green 500 6,00 0,88 CONCLUSION
Blue 460 6,52 1,08
Based on the our experiment result,
concluded that light as a particle is not depend
Based on this result, we got the graph of on intensity and we got the Planck’s constant ℎ
relation between frequency and stopping is |6,37 ± 0,09|10−34 𝐽𝑠.
voltage below.
REFERENCE
1,2
Slopping Voltage (V)

1 y = 0,398x - 1,4956 [1]Demtröder, W., et. all. 2006. Atoms,

0,8 R² = 0,9851
Molecules, andPhotons, AnIntroductionto
0,6 Atomic-, Molecular-, andQuantum-Physics.
0,4 Springer, New York.
0,2 [2]Krane, K.S. 1992. Modern Physics. United
0 States of America: Departement of Physics
0 2 4 6 8 Oregon State University
Frequency ( x 1014 Hz)
GRAPH 1. Relation between frequency v and
stopping voltage Vs.