Franck-Hertz Experiment

Aim
To experimentally demonstrate the concept of quantization of energy levels according to Bohr’s model
of atom.

Apparatus
A mercury-filled Franck-Hertz tube, a neon-filled Franck-Hertz tube, an oven, a control unit for power
supply, and a DC current amplifier.

Sketch of Franck-Hertz Apparatus

Theory
James Franck and Gustav Hertz conducted an experiment in 1914, which demonstrated the existence
of excited states in mercury atoms. It confirms the prediction of quantum theory that electrons occupy
only discrete, quantized energy states. This experiment supports Bohr model of atom. For this great
invention they have been awarded Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 1925.
Apparatus used for the experiment consist of a tube containing low pressure gas, fitted with three
electrodes: cathode for electron emission, a mesh grid for the acceleration of electrons and a
collecting plate.

With the help of thermionic emission, electrons are emitted by a heated cathode, and then accelerated
toward a grid which is at a positive potential, relative to the cathode. The collecting plate is at a lower
potential and is negative with respect to mesh grid. If electrons have sufficient energy on reaching the
grid, some will pass through the grid, and reach collecting plate, and it will be measured as current by
the ammeter. Electrons which do not have sufficient energy on reaching the grid will be slowed down,
and will fall back to the grid.The experimental results confirm the existence of discrete energy levels.

As long as the electron collision is elastic, the electrons will not lose energy on colliding with gas
molecules in tube. As the accelerating potential increases, the current also increases. But as the
accelerating potential reaches a particular value, (4.9eV for mercury, 19eV for neon), each electron
posses that much of potential and now the collision become inelastic. As a result, the energy level of
electron bound to the atom is raised. Now the electron almost loses its energy, and measured current
drops.

Franck-Hertz Data for Mercury

When the accelerating voltage reaches 4.9eV (lowest energy required by the mercury atom for
excitation), the current drops sharply. This drop is due to inelastic collisions between the accelerated
electrons and electrons in the mercury atoms. The sudden onset suggests that the mercury electrons
cannot accept energy until it reaches the threshold to elevate them to an excited state. Collected
current drops at multiples of 4.9eV. At 9.8 V, each electron gets sufficient energy to participate in two
inelastic collisions. They excite two mercury atoms, and no energy will be left. This process will repeat,
for each interval of 4.9eV.
Franck-Hertz Data for Neon
For Neon gas, the process of energy absorption from electron collisions is clearly visible. When the
accelerated electrons excite the electrons in neon to upper states, they de-excite in such a way as to
produce a visible glow in the gas region in which the excitation is taking place. There are about ten
excited levels in the range 18.3 to 19.5 eV. They de-excite by dropping to lower states at 16.57 and
16.79 eV. This energy difference gives light in the visible range. If the accelerating voltage is high
enough, they can undergo a series of reactions, by the inelastic collision between electrons and neon
gas. Almost similar pattern is observed in the case of neon gas at intervals of approximately 19 eV.
 Performing the Simulation:
The simulation helps the user to understand the Franck Hertz Experiment concept. Click Display
button to set U1 (the grid voltage) then click start button to start the experiment and to show the
cross sectional view of the Franck Hertz Apparatus and the Glass tube.

Based on Grid voltage electrons reach the anode plate and inelastic collision with the atoms increases.
Click Stop button then change the filament voltage and grid voltage to see the electron emission and
collision at each voltage. Set the operating mode to PC by clicking Function button to see the graph.
Observe the excitation states of atoms. Select the type of gas to see the excitation states of different
gases.

Variable Region:
1. Filament Voltage Slider : Helps to change the voltage applied to the filament.
2. Grid Voltage Slider: Helps to change the voltage applied to the grid.
3. Gas Type Combo Box: Helps to choose the type of gas.

Measurement Region:
1. Zoomed Region: To see the zoomed view of the apparatus.

The specific charge of cathode rays

1)
2) Cathode rays are

Electromagnetic waves

Fast moving protons

Fast moving neutrons

Fast moving electrons

3) Neglecting relativistic change of mass, the wavelength associated with an electron of kine
proportional to

E²

E½

E⁻½

4) The energy equivalent of 1 u is

1.6x10⁻¹³ J

6.023X10¹³ J

931 MeV

9.31 MeV

5) The best material for the emission of electrons in a tube maintained at a lower pressure

Copper

Nichrome

Tungsten
 Alnico

1. Explain what do you learned about the quantization of radiation from the Franck-Hertz experiment?

2. By working the simulation, find out the different quantized energy levels of Mercury and Neon. Also
account for the peaks in the Voltage-Current characteristics?

3. What happens when the accelerating potential reaches 4.9eV for mercury, 18.3eV for neon and
why?

4. What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collision?

5. Why electrons are used to excite atoms?

6. What happens when electron collides with a nucleus?

Bibliography

1. Kraftmakher, Yaakov. Experiments and Demonstrations in Physics. Oxford Oxfordshire: Oxford

University Press, 2007.
2. Greiner, Walter. Quantum Mechanics. Oxford Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2001.
3. Podgorsak, Ervin. Radiation Physics for Medical Physicists. Oxford Oxfordshire: Oxford University
Press, 2005.
4. Progress in optics, Volume 26 edited by Emil Wolf, Elsevier, 1988.
5. Fujia Yang, Joseph H Hamilton, Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics, World Scientific publishing Co.
Pte. Ltd, Revised edition.

Webliography

1. Theory
2. Demo
3. Experiment