Experiment (1)

Optics lab.
Please read and understand the experiment carefully and get
ready for practical Section.

Dr. Neven Rostom

Phys. 311 Optics and light 2022-2023 Dr. Neven Rostom

Introduction
 Photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons when electromagnetic radiations
having sufficient frequency incident on certain metal surface. The phenomenon
whereby light sensitive surfaces gives off electrons when struck by light it is called
photocells.
 The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons when electromagnetic
radiation, like light, hits a material. Electrons emitted can be called photoelectrons.
 A photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical
current. The current is generated when photons are absorbed in the photodiode.
 Photoelectric cell is an electron tube with photosensitive cathode that emits
electrons when illuminated and an anode for collecting the emitted electrons.
 Solar cell: convert some of light energy absorbed into electrical energy.
If the energy of light (photons) is smaller than the threshold energy (Work
Function of metal), there are no electrons ejected from the surface, when the
photon of light having energy above threshold (critical) energy incident on a
metallic surface and transfer the enough energy to the electron to escape through
the potential barrier layer.
The photo Energy  E = h ʋ
The numbers of electrons ejected per second increases as the intensity of the
light increases. The photoelectric cell can be considered as the generation of a
voltage. The electrons emitted in this manner can be called photoelectrons.

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Phys. 311 Optics and light 2022-2023 Dr. Neven Rostom

Inverse square law

Objective: verification of inverse square law.

Theory:
 The inverse square law describes the intensity of light at different distances
from a light source. The intensity of light is inversely proportional to the square of
the distance. This means that as the distance from a light source increases, the
intensity of light is equal to a value multiplied by 1/d2.
 Inverse square law
 Intensity of the property decreases as the distance between interacting
objects increases.
2
I α 1/d
I = P/d2
P is the illuminating Power of a source and its unit is Watt so, the unit of intensity
of light is Watt/m2 which is equivalent to Candela (cd).
I1/I2 = (d2/d1)2
 Intensity of illumination is directly proportional to photoelectric current
(θp ) produced
I α θp  I=K θp
2
 P/d = K θp
Since P and K are constant hence the relationship between 1/d2 and θp is straight
line which verifies the inverse square law of radiation.
Apparatus:
Optical bench, Photo electric cell, Light source (Lamp), Galvanometer and
material with different thickness.

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Phys. 311 Optics and light 2022-2023 Dr. Neven Rostom

Procedure:
1- Arrange the optical bench in such a way that both the lamp and the photo cell
are at the same level.
2- Make the connection of photo cell to galvanometer.
3- Measure the distance (d) between the light source and photo cell.
4- Take the reading of galvanometer and record it in the table.
5- Change the distance between the light source and photo cell and take the
reading of galvanometer.
6- Repeat above steps and note your observation in the table
7- Draw the relation between θp (on y-axis) and 1/d2 (on x-axis).
Results:

d 1/d2 θp

THE END