PHYSICS PROJECT

REPORT
The Study of Photoelectric
Effect

NAME: Arjun.K
Class: XII -SB1
Registration No.: 1966123
 Certificate
This is to certify that ARJUN.K of class XII, NARAYANA PU COLLEGE,
Bangalore, has completed this Project report in Physics on “ The study
of the Photoelectric Effect” for the practical fulfillment of AISSCE as
prescribed by CBSE in the year 2023-2024.

Date:
CBSE ROLL NO:

Internal Examiner External Examiner

Principal
 Acknowledgment
Firstly, I would like to thank the CBSE Board for providing me
with this opportunity to do this project. My earnest thanks to
the Principal for the encouragement and all the facilities
provided. I wish to convey my deep appreciation towards
my Physics teacher, whose valuable guidance, constant
support, and encouragement have helped me make this
project successful. I am also grateful to my parents whose
advice and support have made this project a great experience.
Index
1. Introduction
2. Discovery and early works
3. Key Concepts
4. Equations
5. Application
6. Experimental Setup with Values and
Graph
7. Conclusion
8. References
Introduction
- Definition
Photoelectric effect is a phenomenon in which electrically charged
particles are discharged from or within a material when it absorbs
electromagnetic radiation. The effect is often characterized as the
ejection of electrons from a metal plate when light falls on it.
The effect remains important for research in areas from materials
science to astrophysics, as well as forming the basis for a variety of
useful devices.

- Key Concept
The photoelectric effect occurs when light of a sufficiently high
frequency (short wavelength) strikes a material, causing the ejection
of electrons from the material's surface.
The energy of the ejected electrons depends on the frequency of the
incident light rather than its intensity.
The photoelectric effect can be explained using the concept of
photons, where each photon carries a quantum of energy
proportional to its frequency

- Discovery and early works

The photoelectric effect was discovered in 1887 by the German
physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz. In connection with work on radio
waves, Hertz observed that, when ultraviolet light shines on two
metal electrodes with a voltage applied across them, the light changes
the voltage at which sparking takes place.
This relation between light and electricity (hence photoelectric) was
clarified in 1902 by another German physicist Philipp Lenard. He
demonstrated that electrically charged particles are liberated from a
metal surface when it is illuminated and that these particles are
identical to electrons, which had been discovered by the British
physicist Joseph John Thomson in 1897.

-Equation
Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect was a crucial
development in the understanding of the particle-like behavior of
light, supporting the idea that light consists of discrete packets of
energy called photons.
Einstein explained the phenomenon where electrons are emitted from
a material when exposed to light. Einstein's photoelectric
equation E=hν=Φ+KE related the energy of photons (E) to their
frequency (ν), the work function of the material (Φ), and the kinetic
energy of emitted electrons (KE). This groundbreaking work reinforced
the particle nature of light, challenging classical wave theories.

E=hν=Φ+KE

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a German-

born theoretical physicist who is
widely held to be one of the
greatest and most influential
scientists of all time.
He received the 1921 Nobel Prize
in Physics for his services to
theoretical physics, and
especially for his discovery of the
law of the photoelectric effect, a
pivotal step in the development
of quantum theory.
Notable Scientists who contributed to the research of
the photoelectric effect

Max Planck's work on quantum

theory laid the foundation for
Einstein's explanation of the
photoelectric effect.
Planck introduced the concept
of quantized energy levels and
the idea that energy is emitted
or absorbed in discrete units or
quanta.

Max Planck

Heinrich Hertz first observed

the photoelectric effect in 1887.
His experiments involved the
generation and detection of
electromagnetic waves,
providing an initial glimpse into
the phenomenon later
explained by Einstein.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

Application Of Photoelectric Effect
1. Photovoltaic Cells (Solar Cells):
Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electrical energy using
the photoelectric effect.
2. Photocells and Photodiodes:
Photocells, or photodiodes, are light-sensitive devices that use
the photoelectric effect to detect or measure light.
3. Image Sensors in Cameras:
Charged Couple Devices (CCDs) and Complementary Metal-
Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors in digital cameras
utilize the photoelectric effect.
4. Automatic Doors and Motion Sensors
5. Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
6. Molecular and Atomic Spectroscopy
The photoelectric effect is used in spectroscopy to study the
interaction of light with matter.
7. Medical Imaging
8. Remote Sensing:
In remote sensing applications, such as lidar and radar systems, the
photoelectric effect is utilized for distance and altitude
measurements.
9. Quantum Cryptography:
Quantum key distribution systems, a form of quantum
cryptography, leverage the principles of quantum mechanics,
including the photoelectric effect, for secure communication by
detecting any attempt to eavesdrop on the communication
channel.
Experimental Setup for Photoelectric Effect
Apparatus:
 Vacuum tube: To eliminate interference from air molecules.
 Photosensitive material: Metal surfaces like potassium or
cesium.
 Photocathode: The metal surface from which electrons are
emitted.
 Anode: A positively charged electrode that collects the emitted
electrons.
 Light source: A monochromatic light beam, often generated
using a mercury vapor lamp.

Assembly:
 Place the photosensitive material in the vacuum tube.
 Connect the photosensitive material to the cathode and anode
electrodes.
 Evacuate the air from the tube to create a vacuum.

Light Source:
 Position the light source to direct a beam onto the
photosensitive material.
 Ensure the light source can be controlled for intensity and
frequency.

Experimental Procedure:
 Set up the apparatus in a dark environment to minimize
interference.
 Apply a voltage between the cathode and anode to create an
electric field.

Data Collection:
 Vary the frequency of the incident light while keeping the
intensity constant.
  Measure the current flowing through the circuit as a function of
the applied voltage.
 Record the stopping potential (voltage required to stop the
current) for different frequencies.

Observations:
 Note the immediate emission of electrons when light is incident
on the photosensitive material.
 Observe that the current is dependent on the frequency of the
incident light.
 Recognize that increasing the intensity of light does not affect
the kinetic energy of emitted electrons but increases the
number of electrons.

Results:
 Plot a graph of stopping potential against frequency.
 Analyze the graph to determine the threshold frequency
(minimum frequency for photoemission) and work function of
the material.

Verification of Einstein's Equation:

 Compare the experimental results with Einstein's photoelectric
equation: E=hν=Φ+KE.
 Confirm that the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons is
directly related to the frequency of the incident light.

Precautions:
 Maintain a constant intensity of the incident light during the
experiment.
 Keep the vacuum level stable throughout the experiment.
 Handle the vacuum tube with care to avoid breakage.
  Ensure the light source is shielded to protect eyes from intense
light.
 Calibrate the experimental setup using known values and
standard procedures.

Repeat and Average:

 Repeat the experiment for multiple trials.
 Calculate averages and analyze the consistency of the results.

Notes:
 The experiment confirms the wave-particle duality of
light, supporting the particle nature of light as proposed
by Einstein.
 The results of the experiment provide insights into the
relationship between the frequency of light and the
energy of emitted electrons.

Diagram Of the Circuit

Graphs Of the Recorded Observations
Observed Values of the Experiment
Wavelength Frequency Threshold Energy Planck’s
λ [nm] v [ 1014 Hz] Voltage E±∆[ 10−9J] Constant

430 6.98 2.69±0.30 4.30±0.48 6.17±0.69

565 5.31 1.91±0.08 3.06±0.15 6.06±0.24
590 5.08 1.86±0.11 2.98±1.81 5.85±0.36
627 4.78 1.83±0.13 2.93±0.21 6.12±0.44
700 4.29 1.85±0.05 2.96±0.15 6.91±0.35
850 3.53 1.30±0.18 2.08±0.28 5.89±0.81
Conclusion

In conclusion, the collective efforts of scientists, notably

Albert Einstein, Heinrich Hertz, Philipp Lenard, and others, in
unraveling the photoelectric effect have transformed our
understanding of light and matter.
Einstein's groundbreaking explanation, introducing the
concept of photons and quantized energy, challenged classical
theories. Hertz's initial observations, Lenard's detailed
experiments, and subsequent contributions from various
researchers collectively paved the way for quantum
mechanics.
The photoelectric effect not only resolved a scientific mystery
but also catalyzed a paradigm shift in physics, influencing
diverse fields and shaping the foundation of modern quantum
theory.
References

1. phy.sites.mtu.edu/RETlessonplans/the-photoelectric-
effect
2. sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/
photoelectric-effect
3. www.britannica.com/science/photoelectric-effect
4. physics.info/photoelectric
5. applets.kcvs.ca/photoelectricEffect/PhotoElectric
(Values)