Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Determination of P constant and work function
of a metal using Photoelectric Effect
Objective
Apparatus to be used
Photoelectric equipment, filters of different colours
Basic theory
It was observed as early as 1905 that most metals emit electrons when their surface is irradiated
with radiation. This phenomenon of emission of electrons from the metal surface exposed to the
light of suitable frequency is known as the photoelectric emission/photoelectric effect. The
electrons emitted in this process are known as photoelectrons, and the current constituted by these
electrons is known as photoelectric current. The basic experimental set up explaining the
photoelectric effect is given below.
The detailed study of this effect has shown:
1. That the emission process depends strongly on the frequency of radiation.
2. For each metal, a critical frequency exists such that light of lower frequency cannot eject
electrons, whilst light of higher frequency always does irrespective of light intensity.
3. The emission of electrons occurs within a very short time interval after the arrival of the
radiation
4. The number of electrons is directly proportional to the intensity of this radiation.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
The experimental results obtained from this experiment are among the most substantial evidence
which prove that the electromagnetic radiation is quantized, and each quanta consisting of packets
of energy, where is the frequency of the radiation and
quanta are called photons.
Further, it is assumed that electrons are bound inside the metal surface. The minimum energy
required to eject the electrons from the metal surface is known as the work function ( ) of the
metal. The work function can be expressed in terms of radiation frequency as:
(1)
where is the Planck's constant and is the threshold frequency (minimum frequency for
photoelectric effect). It then follows that if the frequency ( ) of the light (photon) is such that
, it will be possible to eject photoelectron, while if , it would be impossible. In
the former case, , the excess energy of light will appear as the kinetic energy of the ejected
electron. According to Einstein, the photoelectric equation must obey the following equation:
(2)
where is the energy of the incident photon, is the kinetic energy of the ejected electron
(photoelectron), and is the work function of the given metal. If we apply a retarding potential to
stop the flow of these photoelectrons completely, it is known as stopping potential, . The
maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectron is equal to charge of the electron (e) times the
stopping potential, i.e. and the Eq. (2) can be written as:
(3)
Further on rearranging Eq. (3), we obtain the expression of stopping potential:
(4)
(5)
(6)
The above equation represents a straight line . So, when we plot a graph as a function
of frequency ( ), the slope of the straight line will be and the intercept of the extrapolated
point at gives the work function of the given Metal
can be established from the obtained slope.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Work functions of certain metals are given as an example in the below table for reference:
Metals Work Functions (eV)
Platinum (Pt) 6.4
Silver (Ag) 4.7
Sodium (Na) 2.3
Potassium (K) 2.2
Caesium (Cs) 1.9
Procedure
The structure of the experimental set-up and its basic functionalities are demonstrated as:
1. Vacuum Phototube. The sensitive component.
2. The removable forepart is used to install the colour filters and a focus lens fixed in the back
end.
3. A scale of 40 cm in length. The centre of the vacuum phototube is used as the zero point.
4. Colour filter Set. Five pieces
5. Light Source, 12V/35W halogen tungsten lamp.
6. To move the light source to adjust the distance between the light Source and the vacuum
phototube.
7.
8. Display mode switch. For switching the display between voltage and current.
9. Current Multiplier.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
10. Switch to adjust the appropriate intensity of incident light.
11. Accelerate voltage adjustor. Knob for adjusting accelerate voltage.
12. Voltage direction switch. Switch for choosing stopping potential.
13. Power switch.
14. Power indicator.
For
1. Adjust the distance between the Light Source enclosure and the Photodiode enclosure so
that the general spacing is between 20.0 cm to 40.0 cm. NOTE: The recommended distance
is 25.0 cm. (3 & 6)
2. Turn ON the light source by pressing the power switch (13). Make sure the power indicator
(14) turns green LED On.
3. Allow the light source and the apparatus to warm up for 10 minutes.
4. Insert the red colour filter (635 nm) into the port (2), set the light intensity switch (10) at
accelerating voltage knob (11) at the minimum position and display mode switch (8) at
current display.
5. Set the current multiplier switch (9) for a suitable amount of current on display.
6. - -accelerating voltage using
the knob (11 )to decrease the photocurrent to zero.
7. Measure the de-accelerating voltage/stopping potential (Vs) corresponding to zero current
of 635nm wavelength by setting the switch (8) into Voltage display mode.
8. Repeat steps 4-6 for other colour filters of different wavelengths and measure the
corresponding stopping potential.
9. Once all measurements are done, remove the colour filters, Put back the blank cap to nozzle
nob (11) to zero,
switch (8) to current display mode, and TURN-OFF the power switch (13).
10. Return the colour filters.
11. Do the calculation and plotting figures from the obtained experimental data.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Observations
Sl. No. Incident Photon Frequency (Hz) Stopping Potential (Vs in
Wavelength (Filters) Volts)
1 Red (635 nm)
2 Orange (570 nm)
3 Yellow (540 nm)
4 Green (500 nm)
5 Blue (460 nm)
Model graph
1. Plot a graph of Stopping Potential (Vs) versus Frequency ( 1014 Hz).
2. Find the slope of the best-fit line through the data points on the graph.
Sl. No. Incident Photon Frequency (Hz) Stopping Potential (Vs in
Wavelength (Filters) Volts)
1 Red (635 nm)
2 Orange (570 nm)
3 Yellow (540 nm)
4 Green (500 nm)
5 Blue (460 nm)
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Calculations
From the graph vs we can get the value of slope and the intercept
Substituting the values of and
-sec.
Standard value of h0 = Joules-sec
Again, from the same graph, the intercept at , can be calculated
Work function of metal,
h to the standard value, h0 =
Joules-sec The error % can be calculated as:
Results
1. -sec
2.
Inferences/Conclusions
1.
2.
3.
Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab Manual
Precautions
1. This instrument should be operated in a dry, cool indoor space.
2. The instrument should be kept in a dust- and moisture-proof environment; if there is
dust on the phototube, colour filter, lens, etc., clean it using absorbent cotton with a few
drops of alcohol.
3. The colour filter should be stored in a dry and dust-proof environment.
4. Do not play with the knobs for random movements.
5. Do not put scratch marks on colour filters
6. While applying the negative potential, move the knob slowly and wait 2 secs after each
move.
7. After finishing the experiment, remember to switch off the power (14) and cover the
drawtube (2) with the lens blank cover provided. Phototube is a light-sensitive device,
and its sensitivity decrease with exposure to light and due to aging.
Questions on related concepts (Self-assessment)
Q1. What are the applications of photoelectric effect?
Q2. What is the significance of work function?
Q3. Are all the metals useful for photoelectric effect? Justify your answer.
Q4. Why photoelectric effect cannot be explained by classical physics?
Q5. What will be the stopping potential if intensity is tripled?
Q6. Explain the relationship between the intensity of radiation and photoelectric current.
Q7. What is the difference between photoelectric current and photocurrent?
Q8. How does light intensity affect the Stopping Potential?
Q9. How does your calculated value of h compare to the accepted value?
Q10. What do you think may account for the difference if any between your calculated
value of h and the accepted value?
Further references
1. [Link] (Simulation)
2. [Link] (Simulation)
3. [Link]
4. [Link]
5. [Link]
(Video Demonstration)