Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115

Sam Prince Franklin K

AIM:
To determine the value of Planck’s universal constant using LEDs.

APPARATUS:
• LEDs
• Digital voltmeter
• Micro-ammeter
• Ten turn linear potentiometer

FORMULA:
E = eV° (electron) = hv
= h (c/ λ) (photon)

h = (eV° λ )/c e = charge of electron

h = Planck’s constant
v = frequency of the photons emitted
λ = wavelength of colour
V° = (hc )/e λ-1

THEORY:
As is evident from its name, LED (Light Emitting Diode) is basically a small
light emitting device that comes under “active” semiconductor electronic
components. It’s quite comparable to the normal general-purpose diode, with the
only big difference being its capability to emit light in different colours. The two
terminals (anode and cathode) of a LED when connected to a voltage source in the
correct polarity, may produce lights of different colours, as per the semiconductor
substance used inside it.
A light-emitting diode is a two-lead semiconductor light source. It is a p–n
junction diode that emits light when activated. When a suitable voltage is applied
to the leads, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device,
releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence,
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

and the colour of the light (corresponding to the energy of the photon) is
determined by the energy band gap of the semiconductor.

.
LEDs provide a wide range of benefits for design engineers:

• High energy efficiency: LED lights are more efficient than standard fluorescent and
incandescent lights. LED light bulbs consume less energy and are more efficient in
converting that energy into light than traditional fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs
are.
• Produce a long service life: LED light bulbs are designed to last up to 6 times longer
than other types of lighting. This helps to save money and waste on replacement bulbs.
LED lights are also not worn down by quick and repetitive shutting on and off as other
types of light bulbs can be.
• Cold temperature operation: While other types of lights require higher voltages to
operate in cold temperatures, LED lights remain operational and reliable in colder
locations. This makes them ideal for lighting refrigerators and storage spaces.
• Available in a wide range of colors: LED lights come in a range of warmer or cooler
lighting providing the ideal shade of light for any environment.
• Controllability: LED lights are semiconductor devices that are able to be dimmed with
controllers. LED lights offer continuous dimming capabilities while other types of
lighting can only provides step-level dimming.
• Instant On: Some other types of bulbs take a moment to reach their full brightness. LED
lights, on the other hand, snap on to their full power as soon as the switch is flipped.
• Rugged and durable: By foregoing glass encasements, LED lights boast added
durability and resistance to breakage. LED lights are typically mounted on circuit boards
and connected with soldered leads. This increases LED lights resistance to vibration and
other types of disturbances.
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

• No UV emissions/very little infrared: LED lighting helps protect carpets, artwork,

window coverings, and painted surfaces from any potential infrared or UV emission
damage.
• Small size allows for design flexibility: LED lights come in a wide range of sizes
allowing for greater design freedom.

PROCEDURE:
• Connect an LED to the jack provided on the front panel and switch on the
unit.
• Vary the voltage across the LED and note the corresponding current and
tabulate.
• Plot V-I graph of all LEDs and obtain V° for each LED.
• Plot V°- 1/ λ for LEDs of different wavelength and determine the slope (hc/e) of the
line. Calculate h using standard values of c and e.
• Calculate the slope using square fit method:
N ∑ XiYi−∑ Xi ∑ Yi
Slope =
N ∑ Xi2 −(∑ Xi)2
N = number of points
h is obtained from the value of slope.

PRECAUTIONS:
• Voltage fluctuation may occur which can cause error in reading of current.
• Connections should be neat and tight.
• Appropriate voltage should be applied so that suitable amount of current
flows through it or else the LED will be damaged.
.

SOURCES OF ERROR:
• There may be fluctuation in voltage.
• Connections may be loose.
• Applied voltage maybe more than the required amount of voltage(20mA)
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

OBSERVATIONS:
DATASHEET 1
TABLE - 1 V = Volt; I = mA

Blue Green Yellow Red

V I V I V I V I
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.05 0 0.05 0 0.05 0 0.05 0
0.1 1 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.1 1
0.15 1 0.15 1 0.15 1 0.15 1
0.2 2 0.2 1 0.2 2 0.2 2
0.25 2 0.25 2 0.25 2 0.25 2
0.3 2 0.3 2 0.3 3 0.3 2
0.35 3 0.35 3 0.35 3 0.35 3
0.4 3 0.4 3 0.4 4 0.4 3
0.45 4 0.45 4 0.45 4 0.45 4
0.5 4 0.5 4 0.5 4 0.5 4
0.55 5 0.55 5 0.55 5 0.55 5
0.6 5 0.6 5 0.6 5 0.6 5
0.65 6 0.65 6 0.65 6 0.65 6
0.7 6 0.7 6 0.7 6 0.7 6
0.75 7 0.75 7 0.75 7 0.75 7
0.8 7 0.8 7 0.8 7 0.8 7
0.85 8 0.85 8 0.85 8 0.85 8
0.9 8 0.9 8 0.9 8 0.9 8
0.95 9 0.95 9 0.95 9 0.95 9
1 9 1 9 1 9 1 9
1.05 10 1.05 10 1.05 10 1.05 10
1.1 10 1.1 10 1.1 10 1.1 10
1.15 11 1.15 11 1.15 11 1.15 11
1.2 11 1.2 11 1.2 11 1.2 11
1.25 12 1.25 12 1.25 12 1.25 12
1.3 12 1.3 12 1.3 12 1.3 13
1.35 13 1.35 13 1.35 13 1.35 14
1.4 13 1.4 13 1.4 14 1.4 16
1.45 14 1.45 14 1.45 15 1.45 22
1.5 14 1.5 14 1.5 17 1.5 38
1.55 15 1.55 15 1.55 23 1.55 84
1.6 15 1.6 17 1.6 35 1.6 226
1.65 16 1.65 21 1.65 67
1.7 16 1.7 34 1.7 163
1.75 17 1.75 74
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

1.8 17 1.8 237

1.85 18
1.9 18
1.95 18
2 19
2.05 20
2.1 20
2.15 21
2.2 21
2.25 22
2.3 23
2.35 25
2.4 31
2.45 46
2.5 94
2.55 243

1. BLUE:
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

2. Green:

3. Yellow:
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

4. Red:

TABLE: 2

LED Wavelength 1/λ Barrier potential

colour λ (nm) (m-1) V°
Blue 450 0.0022*10-9 2.41
Green 520 0.0019*10-9 1.64
Yellow 580 0.0017*10-9 1.58
Red 630 0.0015*10-9 1.49
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

Barrier Potential Vs 1/ λ:

CALCULATIONS:
From Table 1 barrier potential for blue, green, yellow and red is:
• Barrier potential (blue) = 2.41 V
• Barrier potential (green) = 1.64 V
• Barrier potential (yellow) = 1.58 V
• Barrier potential (red) = 1.49 V

By Using Slope Method:

V = 1.287*10-6
3∗108
Coefficient (c/e) =
1.6∗10−19

C = 1.87*1027
1.287∗10−6
h=V/C h=
1.87∗1027

h = 6.88*10-34 J s
Physics Lab Report 8 20MIS1115
Sam Prince Franklin K

RESULT:
The value of Planck’s constant was found to be 6.88*10-34 J s

INTERFERENCE:
The experimental value of Planck’s constant = 6.88*10-34 J s
The calculated value of Planck’s constant = 6.63*10-34 J s