Photoelectric effect

21BME0305

21BME0305
KOUSSIGAN.R

Koussigan.R
[Email address]
 Photoelectric effect
Aim:
 To determine the Planck’s constant
 To determine the work function of the given metal
 Study the photoelectric effect
 Equipment Required
 Photoelectric Equipment
 Filters

Theory:

Hertz noticed a spark between the two metallic balls when a high
frequency radiation incident on it. This is called photoelectric
effect. Photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons when
electromagnetic radiations having sufficient frequency incident
on certain metal surfaces. We call the emitted electrons as
photoelectrons and the current they constitute as photocurrent.
The phenomenon was first observed by Heinrich Hertz in 1880
and explained by Albert Einstein in 1905 using Max Planck's
quantum theory of light. As the first experiment which
demonstrated the quantum theory of energy levels, photoelectric
effect experiment is of great historical importance.

It has been observed that there must be a minimum energy

needed for electrons to escape from a particular metal surface
and is called work function 'W' for that metal. The work function
can be expressed in terms of frequency as, Where h is the
Planck's constant and is the threshold frequency (minimum
frequency for photoelectric effect).

Formula used:

HV = KE + W
W work function of the metal

KEKinetic energy of the photoelectron

h Energy of incident photon

since the max. kinetic energy of the photoelectron is equal to

stopping potential

hv=evs+w

upon rearranging
h ω
v s= v−
ⅇ ⅇ

It is a straight-line equation y=mx+c

h ω
Where slope m= ⅇ and intercept c= ⅇ

From the graph plotted between frequency and stopping potential

 Plank constant from the slope of the line made in graph and work
function of the given metal from y-intercept made by the line in
the graph

Methodology

1. Plug in and switch on the apparatus using the red button at the
bottom right corner of the set up. 2. Before the lamp is switched on,
put the toggle switch in current mode and check that the dark
current is zero.

3. Turn on the lamp source (it may take 5-10 mins. to warm up). Set
the light intensity near to maximum. Note that the intensity should
be such that the value of current should not exceed the display
range. In case it happens, you need to reduce the intensity. You
should not change intensity while taking data.

4. Insert one of the five specified filters into the drawtube of the
receptor.

5. Set the voltage direction switch to “+ve” polarity. Adjust the

voltage knob at minimum and current knob at “X 0.1” position which
means the resolution is up to one decimal point. Vary the voltage and
record the current till the value of current becomes relatively
constant. Use the display mode switch to record the values of
voltage and the corresponding current each time

6. Now, set the voltage direction switch to “-ve” polarity. Adjust

the voltage knob at minimum and current knob at “X 0.001” (we
need higher resolution since current will be less here). Vary the
voltage and record the current till the value of current becomes 0.
Use the display mode switch to record the values of voltage and
the corresponding current each time.
7. The above steps 5 and 6 provides data to plot the I-V
characteristics of the phototube for the wavelength (or frequency)
selected by the filter.

8. Repeat the steps 5-7 for all the filters provided.

9. Fill up the observation tables and draw necessary plots. Determine

the values of planck’s constant and work function of the metal used
in the phototube.

Observation table
Serial.no Wavelength of Frequency(Hz) Stopping potential
incident photon (v)

1 460 nm 6.521x1014 -1.06

2 500nm 6x1014 -0.87

3 540nm 5.555x1014 -0.57

4 570nm 5.263x1014 -0.37

5 635nm 4.724x1014 -0.24

Calculation
(1.5−0.5)
Slope = ¿ = 0.382x10-14
(7−5.3)x 10 14
h
m= e

h= 0.382x10-15 x (1.6x10-14)
= 6.112x10-34 J
y-intercept= - 1.58
ω
-1.58= - ⅇ => w=1.58x1.6x10-19 => 2.528x10-19 J

1.λ=460nm ⇒ v=c/λ ⇒ v= 3𝑥108 460𝑥10−9 ⇒6.52x1014

2. λ=500nm ⇒ v=c/λ ⇒ v= 3𝑥10^8 500𝑥10^−9 ⇒6x1014
3. λ=540nm ⇒ v=c/λ ⇒ v= 3𝑥10^8 540𝑥10^−9 ⇒5.55x1014
4.λ=570nm ⇒ v=c/λ ⇒ v= 3𝑥10^8 570𝑥10^−9 ⇒5.26x1014
5. λ=635nm ⇒ v=c/λ ⇒ v= 3𝑥10^8 635𝑥10^−9 ⇒4.72x1014

GRAPH
Result
Work function of given metal is 2.78 x 10-19
Planck’s constant is 6.62 x 10-34 Js