Alqahtani Faris

M4: Lab Activity

Photoelectric Effect

The formula for calculating W is as follows:

h.ν = Ek + W
Where:

 h is Planck’s constant h = 6.626E-34 J×s

 ν is the frequency of the light
 Ek is the kinetic energy of the ejected electron
 W is the work function

The kinetic energy of the electron refers to its actual movement once ejected. Ek in
these circumstances will essentially have a value of zero.
W can be obtained by calculating frequency and using Planck’s constant. The work
function will be in joules, so in order to compare to published lists of work function
values—which are in electron volts—a conversion this unit is required.

Questions

1. Choose a metal and choose a wavelength that ejects electrons at a reasonable

speed. Turn the light intensity up and down. Make note of the number of
electrons ejected. Why does the number change? Explain, with reference to
quantum theory.

I started with copper at 254 nm and 39% intensity.

As I was increasing the intensity the number of photoelectrons increases because the
number of incident of photons on the metal surface increases because a single
photon produces a single electron.
2. Using this same wavelength and 100% intensity, change the flow of electricity
from the battery (at the bottom of the screen), making note of the change in
charge at both ends of the electron chamber. Speculate as to why the flow of
electrons is changed.

As I changed the battery potential to about -2 volts the electrons can no longer leave
the metal because they are not emitted with kinetic energy to overcome the negative
potential provided by the battery.
The negative electrons are repelled

3. Reset the battery to zero, and turn on the electron energy vs. light frequency
graph at the right of the screen. Play with light wavelength to generate data for
the graph. Convert electron volts into joules, then calculate the slope of the line
(be sure to use the exact values used in the graph). Explain why you obtained the
value you did.

We have h.ν = Ek + W = e.V +W

Where W is called the work function. With no retarding potential (V = 0) then

h.ν = W which means that we must have photons with energy of at least h.ν to
remove electrons from the metal.
We can also write h ν = KE + W (since e V the stopping potential = KE)
The slope of the line is given by h or h = KE / ν and at the current =0 .98
We get E = 6 e V = 9.6 * 10E-19 J and ν = 2.6 * 10E15 so h = 9.6 * 10E-19 / 2.6 *
10E15 = 3.7 * 10E-34 J-sec

QAHTANI FARIS