Unit 2 Module 3 Atomic and nuclear physics

Photoemissive devices
Photoemissive devices were the original photocells, based
on the same principle as the apparatus used to investigate
the photoelectric effect, shown in Figure 28.5.
Figure 28.8 shows a photocell used to generate a signal
from the sound track recorded on a movie film. The
signal is recorded as variations in the transparency of the
track. The changes in the intensity of the light transmitted
by the track are converted to an electric signal by the
photocell as the film passes. The signal is amplified and
used to drive loudspeakers.
Figure 28.9 shows how a photocell could be used to count
boxes on a conveyor belt. As a box passes between the
light source and the cell the output of the cell decreases,
then increases again. An external circuit counts the pulses
electronically.
Photoconductive devices
In modern applications photoconductive devices,
which change their electrical resistance when light falls
on them, have largely replaced photoemissive cells.
Photoconductive devices are based on semiconducting
materials such as cadmium sulfide. Photons of visible
light carry sufficient energy to excite electrons from the
valence band to the conduction band in these materials.
These electrons can then move freely through the
material (like the free electrons in a metal), decreasing the
electrical resistance.
Figure 28.10a shows a light-dependent resistor (LDR)
based on this principle. In the dark the resistance of the
Worked example 28.3
Q (a) Calculate the Planck constant from Figure 28.7.
(b) Determine the work functions of the two metals. Hence, by
reference to Table 28.1, identify the metals.
A (a) gradient =
rise
=h=
5.0 V
= 4.1 × 10−15 V s
run e 12.2 × 1014 Hz
Now, e = 1.6 × 10−19 C, therefore,
h = 1.6 × 10−19 × 4.1 × 10−15 J s = 6.6 × 10−34 J s
Thus, h = 6.6 × 10−34 J s
(b) y axis intercept = − Φe
= − work function expressed in eV
Therefore, reading the intercepts from the graph we have,
■ metal 1, Φ = 4.0 eV

■ metal2, Φ = 5.6 eV
With reference to Table 28.1 we can identify metal 1 as lead
and metal 2 as platinum.
Worked example 28.4
Q UV radiation with frequency 1.2 × 10 15 Hz is used in an

investigation of the photoelectric effect with the metals listed in

Table 28.1.
(a) Calculate the energy of the UV photons in joules and in
electron volts.
(b) Which of the metals will not exhibit photoelectric emission
with radiation of this frequency?
(c) Calculate the maximum kinetic energy and maximum speed
of the photoelectrons emitted when the radiation is incident
on lead.
h = 6.63 × 10−34 J s; me = 9.11 × 10−31 kg; e = 1.602 × 10−19 C
A (a) E = hf = 6.63 × 10 −34 × 1.2 × 1015 J
= 7.96 × 10−19 J
1 eV = 1.602 × 10−19 J, so
7.96 × 10−19 J =
7.96 × 10−19
= 4.99 eV
1.602 × 10−19
(b) Nickel and platinum will not emit photoelectrons since their
work functions are greater than the energy of the incident
photons.
(c) From the Einstein equation:
hf = hf0 + 12
mv 2
KEmax = 12
mv 2 = hf − hf0
But, hf0 = Φ, so
KEmax = hf − Φ = 4.99 eV − 4.01 eV
= 0.98 eV = 0.98 × 1.602 × 10−19 J
= 1.57 × 10−19 J
v = 2KE = 2 × 1.57 × 10−19
m s−1
m 9.11 × 10−31
= 5.87 × 105 m s−1
exciter
lamp
_lm
slit
photocell
R
to ampli_er
and
loudspeaker
sound track
_lm
picture
picture
Figure 28.8 Reading the sound track from a movie film.
lamp
lens
lens
conveyer belt
photocell
to
counter
Figure 28.9 Electronic counting using a photocell