Photoelectric Effect Virtual Lab
Name:
Date:
Objective: To investigate the photoelectric effect and to determine the effect that the
wavelength of the light, the intensity of the light and the type of metal have on the
resulting current.
Apparatus: Computer and the following website
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/photoelectric
Procedure:
1. Go the to the webpage above for the photo effect simulation
2. Click on the Run Now! Button to launch the simulation
3. You should see the picture below
4. This is a simulation of the photoelectric effect device that was used to measure
Planck’s constant and to determine the work function of different metals
a. The Light source at the top will shine a variable “light” down on the metal
i. You can change the intensity and wavelength of the light by sliding
the appropriate buttons or you can get more specific by typing in
the box the exact intensity or wavelength you want
b. When the light is turned on and the wavelength is low enough electrons
will be ejected off of the metal and go across the gap to the other piece of
metal.
i. If enough electrons move across the gap an electric current will be
generated which is measured in the box labeled current.
c. The battery is used to “stop” the electrons from flowing through the
circuit and is called the stopping potential.
i. It also provides a way to show the energy of the ejected electrons.
ii. The energy of the ejected electrons will be the stopping potential
(Voltage) times the charge of the electron (1.6*10-19 C)
d. By adjusting the voltage of battery (either with the appropriate sliding
button or by typing in an exact voltage) you can reduce the current back to
zero after the photoelectric effect has begun and a current is measured.
e. You can also change the metal that is being examined by changing the
Target in the upper right hand corner.
5. Set the voltage to zero. This is the voltage across the gap so you can make it
positive or negative to help or hinder the electrons moving across the gap.
6. Select Sodium as the metal and vary the wavelength until you observe a current
a. This is shown by the bar at the top next to the metals
7. While you see a current vary the light intensity to see what affect this has on the
current.
8. Repeat for two other metals.
9. Use your newfound knowledge of the applet to answer the following questions.
Questions:
Data Driven
1. Set the voltage to 0.0 V and the intensity to 100%. What is the smallest
wavelength of light that can hit the metal and not produce a current?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sodium –
Zinc –
Copper –
Platinum –
2. Keep the voltage set at 0.0 V. Set the wavelength to 210 nm. Vary the intensity
from 50% to 100%. What is the maximum current produced by the light for each
metal?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sodium –
Zinc –
Copper –
Platinum –
3. Set the wavelength to 210 nm. Set the intensity of the light to 50%. Vary the
voltage until there is no current. (This is called the stopping voltage). What is
the voltage needed for each metal to stop the current flowing?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sodium –
Zinc –
Copper –
Platinum –
Theory Driven
The final (real experiment)1. Select Sodium as your metal and set the light intensity at 50%. Set the light
wavelength for the values below and determine the stopping potential (where
current goes to zero) for each wavelength.
2. Enter values into Excel and use it to calculate the frequency of the incoming light
and the KE of the ejected electrons in Joules.
3. Graph the KE vs. frequency and determine the slope of your graph.
Data:
Wavelength
(nm)
436
400
365
300
254
Stopping potential
(V)
Calculations:
Frequency
(Hz)
KE (of electrons)
(J)
200
150
125
(Copy and Paste Graph here)
Graph Driven (use your graph to answer the questions below)
1. What is the slope of your graph?
a.
2. What physical constant does this slope represent?
a.
3. What is the %error of your slope?
a.
4. What is the significance of the point where the plot crosses the x-axis?
a.
5. What is the common name of this point?
a.
Conclusion: