Physics 104.

1 Manual

A Compilation of Laboratory Protocols and Worksheets of

Modern Physics I Lab Experiments

Compiled by:

Carlisle Aurabelle M. Casuga

 UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES BAGUIO

Physics 104.1 Manual: A Compilation of Laboratory Protocols and Worksheets of Fundamental Physics Lab III Experiments
Compiled by: Carlisle Aurabelle M. Casuga

2016 University of the Philippines

This manual is not for sale and is for the sole purpose of Physics 103 laboratory classes.

University of the Philippines

Department of Physical Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines
 Table of Contents
Experiment 1: Michelson Interferometry ............................................................................................................... 5
Laboratory Protocol ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Worksheet .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Experiment 2: Electron Charge to Mass ratio ..................................................................................................... 10

Laboratory Protocol .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Worksheet ............................................................................................................................................................ 12

Experiment 3: Millikan Oil Drop Experiment ....................................................................................................... 15

Laboratory Protocol .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Worksheet ............................................................................................................................................................ 25

Experiment 4: The Photoelectric Effect ............................................................................................................... 29

Laboratory Protocol .............................................................................................................................................. 29
Worksheet ............................................................................................................................................................ 31

Appendix A ............................................................................................................................................................. 40
Appendix B ............................................................................................................................................................. 41
References .............................................................................................................................................................. 42
 Experiment 1. Michelson Interferometry
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

OBJECTIVES:

1. Determine the wavelength of the laser thru the Michelson Interferometer.

2. Determine the index of refraction of glass thru the Michelson Interferometer

PRINCIPLES:

The wave behavior of light can be observed through the interference of two waves that are composed of
oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Two or more waves meet according to the principle of superposition.
When the beams of lights originate from the same source and when at one point they are in phase, the combined
field will be a maximum; hence, a constructive interference. Otherwise, if the combine fields are completely out of
phase, a destructive interference is produced.

Thomas Young was one the first people to design an experiment that produces an interference pattern by
allowing light to pass through two closely spaced narrow slits. A pattern of dark and bright bands appeared at a
viewing screen opposite the slits.

A.A Michelson designed an interferometer using the same principle. By splitting a beam of light into two
and making these split beams meet, a fringe pattern is produced. If the path length of the two beams are equal,
they will be in phase when they meet. By moving one mirror, the path lengths can be varied. The beam traverses
the path between the mirror and beam splitter twice; therefore, moving the mirror wavelength, the total optical
path of that beam changes by wavelength. The maxima and minima will trade positions in the new interference
pattern. By moving the mirror another wavelength, the total optical path has changed by 1 wavelength. The
new interference pattern will go back to its original form. The wavelength can therefore be found

2
= (4.1)

where is the distance the mirror has moved and m is the number of times the fringe pattern is returned
to its original form.

Another way to change the phase relationships of the meeting beams is to change the medium through
which one of beams pass.

0
= (4.2)

Where n is the index of refraction for the material in which light is propagating. By slowly varying the
length of the material (through rotating it to its side) and counting the number of fringe transitions, the index of
refraction of the material can be obtained and is given by

(2 0 )(1 cos )
= (4.3)
2(1 cos ) 0

Where N is the number of transitions, is the angle of the glass plate with respect to the beam, t is the
thickness of the glass plate, and 0 is the wavelength of the beam.

5
 Experiment 1. Michelson Interferometry
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

MATERIALS:

PASCO Precision Interferometer

PROCEDURE:

I. Aligning the Laser

1. Set the interferometer base on a lab table with the micrometer knob pointing toward you.
2. Position the laser to the left of the base approximately perpendicular to the interferometer base and place
the laser on the bench.
3. Secure the movable mirror in the recessed hole in the interferometer base.
4. Turn the laser on. Adjust its height until the laser beam is approximately parallel with the top of the
interferometer base and strikes the movable mirror in the center. (To check that the beam is parallel with
the base, place a piece of paper in the beam path, with the edge of the paper flush against the base.
Mark the height of the beam on the paper. Using the piece of paper, check that the beam height is the
same at both ends of the bench.)
5. Adjust the X-Y position of the laser until the beam is reflected from the movable mirror right back into the
laser aperture.

II. Setup and Operation

1. Align the laser and interferometer base as
previously described.
2. Mount the adjustable mirror on the interferometer
base. Position one component holder in front of the
laser.
3. Place the other component holder opposite the
adjustable mirror and attach the viewing screen to
its magnetic backing. See Figure 1.1.
4. Position the beam-splitter at a 45-degree angle to
the laser beam, within the marks, so that the beam
is reflected to the adjustable mirror. Adjust the angle
of the beam-splitter as needed so that the reflected
beam hits the mirror near its center.
5. There should now be two sets of bright dots on the
viewing screen; one set comes from the fixed mirror
and the other comes from the movable mirror
6. Adjust the angle of the beam-splitter again until the
two sets of dots are as close together as possible,
then tighten the thumbscrew to secure the beam-
splitter.
7. Using the thumbscrews on the back of the
adjustable mirror, adjust the mirrors tilt until the two
sets of dots on the viewing screen coincide.
8. Attach the 18 mm FL lens to the magnetic backing
of the component holder in front of the laser, as
shown, and adjust its position until the diverging Figure 1.1. Michelson Mode Set Up
beam is centered on the beam-splitter. You should
now see circular fringes on the viewing screen.
9. If not, carefully adjust the tilt of the adjustable mirror until the fringes appear.

6
 Experiment 1. Michelson Interferometry
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

III. Wavelength

1. Align the laser and interferometer in the Michelson mode so an interference pattern is clearly visible on
your viewing screen.
2. Adjust the micrometer knob to a medium reading (approximately 50 m). In this position, the relationship
between the micrometer reading and the mirror movement is most nearly linear.
3. Turn the micrometer knob one full turn counterclockwise. Continue turning counterclockwise until the zero
on the knob is aligned with the index mark. Record the micrometer reading.

NOTE: When you reverse the direction in which you turn the micrometer knob, there is a small amount of give
before the mirror begins to move. This is called mechanical backlash, and is present in all mechanical
systems involving reversals in direction of movement. By beginning with a full counterclockwise turn, and then
turning only counterclockwise when counting fringes, you can eliminate errors due to backlash.

4. Rotate the micrometer knob slowly counterclockwise. Continue until you count 20 fringe transitions.
5. Record , the distance that the movable mirror moved toward the beam-splitter according to your
readings of the micrometer knob.

NOTE: Each small division on the micrometer knob corresponds to one m (106 meters) of mirror movement
(One revolution of the micrometer knob is 25 microns).

6. Make 2 more trials.

IV. Index of Refraction of Glass

1. Align the laser and interferometer in the Michelson mode. See Figure 1.1.
2. Place the rotating table between the beam-splitter and movable mirror, perpendicular to the optical path.
See Figure 1.2.

NOTE: If the movable mirror is too far forward, the rotating table
won't fit. You may need to loosen the thumbscrew and slide the
mirror farther back.

3. Mount the glass plate on the magnetic backing of the

rotational pointer.
4. Position the pointer so that its 0 edge on the Vernier scale is
lined up with the zero on the degree scale on the
interferometer base.
5. Remove the lens from in front of the laser. Hold the viewing
screen between the glass plate and the movable mirror. If
there is one bright dot and some secondary dots on the
viewing screen, adjust the angle of the rotating table until
there is one bright dot. Then realign the pointer scale. The
plate should now be perpendicular to the optical path.
6. Replace the viewing screen and the lens and make any minor
adjustments that are necessary to get a clear set of fringes Figure 1.2. Experimental Setup with rotating table
on the viewing screen.
7. Slowly rotate the table by moving the lever arm. Count the number of fringe transitions that occur as you
rotate the table from 0 degrees to at least 10.

7
 Experiment 1. Michelson Interferometry
WORKSHEET

I. WAVELENGTH

No. of Fringe
Trial Distance, Experimental Theoretical % error
Transitions (m)
1
2
3
Table 1.1 Data for Obtaining Wavelength of Glass

II. INDEX OF REFRACTION OF GLASS

No of Fringe Thickness of
Trial 0
Transitions (N) glass plate (m)
1
2
3
Table 1.2 Raw Data for Obtaining Index of Refraction of Glass

Trial Experimental Theoretical % error

1
2
3
Table 1.3 Theoretical vs. Experimental

8
 Experiment 1. Michelson Interferometry
WORKSHEET

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Explain each source of error.

2. Will there be a difference if the experiment was performed in a vacuum? How and why?

3. Michelson designed the experiment to confirm the existence of ether. Describe his objective and how
the experiment failed to confirm this existence. Cite your references.

4. How and why does the experiment produce a circular interference pattern.

9
 Experiment 2. Electron Charge to Mass Ratio
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

OBJECTIVES

1. Determine the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron

2. Exhibit the deflection of a moving charged particle in a magnetic field.

PRINCIPLES

The force exerted by a magnetic field on a charged particle of charge q is given by =

. Therefore,
the presence magnetic field can deflect the trajectory of the charged particle. If the electron beam (or velocity) is
perpendicular to the magnetic field, then

= (2.1)

Where is the charge of the electron, is the velocity of the electron, and represents the magnetic field.
The trajectory of an electron whose velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field would become circular
experiencing a centripetal force of magnitude 2 /; therefore,

= = (2.2)

The velocity can be expressed through

= (2/) (2.3)

1
taken through = 2 , where the potential gains kinetic energy equal to the charge times the potential.
2
Also, the magnetic field produced near the axis of a pair of Helmholtz coils is

0
= (2.4)
(5/4)3/2

The / ratio is therefore

2(5/4)3 2
= (2.5)
(0 )2

Where

= radius of Helmholtz coils = 15 cm

= number of turns on each coil = 130
0 = permeability of free space = 4 107 Henry/meter
= current through the coils
= radius of the electron beam path.

10
 Experiment 2. Electron Charge to Mass Ratio
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

MATERIALS
Uchida TG 13 E/M apparatus
3 Power Supplies
DC Ammeter

PROCEDURE

1. Flip the toggle switch to e/m Measure position.

2. Turn the current adjust knob for the Helmholtz coils to the Off position.
3. Connect your power supplies and meter to the front panel of the e/m apparatus as shown in Figure 2.2.
4. Connect the Heater (AC) and the Helmholtz coil (DC) to the Low Voltage Power Supply.
5. Connect the accelerator to the High Voltage Supply.

Figure 2.1. Connections (Source: PASCO manual for Model SE 9638), www.pasco.com

6. Adjust the power supplies to the following levels:

Electron Gun Heater: 6 VAC or VDC
Electrodes: 150 VDC (up to 200 V)
Helmholtz Coils: 6 9 VDC
7. Wait several minutes until the electron beam emerges from the electron glow (a faint green glow will
emerge).
8. Slowly turn the current adjust knob in the apparatus for the Helmholtz coils clockwise to deflect the electron
beam, forming a circular trajectory of desired radius, .

Warning: NEVER EXCEED 2 A.

9. As current is increased, the beam will be curved by the field from the Helmholtz coils. Read the current to
the Helmholtz coils from the ammeter and the accelerating voltage from the voltmeter.
10. Measure the radius of the electron beam. To avoid parallax errors, move your head to align the electron
beam with the reflection of the beam that you can see on the mirrored scale. Measure the radius of the
beam as you see it on both sides of the scale, then average the results.
11. Record your results Table 2.1. Measure the current and voltage. Measure the current and voltage. Vary the
voltage by 10 volts and toggle the current switch on the apparatus to maintain the same radius. Record the
data on the table for 10 different voltage readings taking care NOT TO EXCEED the CURRENT LIMIT of
2A.
12. If only an uncertainty in r is assumed, compute the e/m value (include uncertainty) for each voltage reading.
13. Choose another radius value and repeat the measurements. Complete Table 2.1 to 2.3 for different radii
values.

11
 Experiment 2. Electron Charge to Mass Ratio
WORKSHEET

Table 2.1. Current and Magnetic field values ( = ______ _____)

Voltage Current B field / (/)
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220

Table 2.2. Current and Magnetic field values ( = ______ _____)

Voltage Current B field / (/)
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220

Table 2.3. Current and Magnetic field values ( = ______ _____)

Voltage Current B field / (/)
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220

12
 Experiment 2. Electron Charge to Mass Ratio
WORKSHEET

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. With only an uncertainty in assumed, show sample calculations of how the / (/) values were
obtained.

2. Take only one voltage and radius reading (e.g. = 150 and = 3 cm) and find the uncertainty in e/m if all
the uncertainties in , , and are all considered. Show how the error is propagated and compare this with
the (/) values of Tables 2.1 to 2.3.

13
 Experiment 2. Electron Charge to Mass Ratio
WORKSHEET

3. From adjusting the current knob, HOW does the current deflect the electron beam? Sketch a diagram of
the trajectory of the electron while increasing the current.

14
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

OBJECTIVES:

1. Determine the value of the charge, , of the electron.

PRINCIPLES:

From 1909 to 1913, Robert Millikan performed an experiment that determined the elementary charge on
an electron, . His apparatus consisted of two parallel plates. Oil drops are introduced through a small hole at the
upper plate and were exposed to x-rays that gave these drops a negative charge. To view theses droplets, a
scope was used and a light beam, perpendicular to the long axis of the scope, was shined on the drops.

Figure 3.1. Millikan Oil Drop Diagram

When no electric field is present, the only forces acting on the charged droplet (and influencing its
terminal velocity) are gravitational and drag forces. Otherwise, when the negatively charged drop are exposed to
an electric field directed towards the lower plate, there is an electric force acting on the drops pulling it upward.
The drops then obtain a new terminal speed, that is when the
electric force balances out the sum of the gravitational and drag
(now downward) forces.

Derivation

Without an electric field present, the drag force has an

equal magnitude with the gravitational force.

= (3.1)

Otherwise with an electric field, Figure 3.2. (a) Free body diagram w/o and Electric Field (b)
Free body diagram with the top plate positively charged
[Source: Serway and Jewett]
= + (3.2)

Eliminating , and solving for

( + )
= (3.3)

To determine the mass of a droplet, we know that the density and volume of the sphere gives us

4
= 3 (3.4)
3

To calculate the radius of the droplet , we use the Stokes Law relating the radius of a spherical body to its fall
velocity in a viscous medium (with coefficient of viscosity, )

15
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

9
= ( ) (3.5)
2

Stokes Law becomes incorrect for velocities less than 0.1 cm/s, the resulting effective viscosity is

1
= (
) (3.6)
1+

Where is a constant, is the atmospheric pressure, and is the radius of the drop By substituting into Eqn
3.5 and solving for radius , we obtain

2 9
= ( ) + = (3.7)
2 2() 2

Substituting into Equation (3.3) yields

9 3 ( + )
= 6 3 (3.8)

2 (1 + )

The Electric field between the plates are

()
(. . . ) = ( )= (3.9)
300()

Substituting Eqn (3.7) and (3.8) into Eqn. (3.6) yields

3
1/2
1 9 3 1 +
= [400 ( [ ] ) ][
] [ ] (3.10)
2 1+

To calculate the charge in SI units, as derived from equation (3.10) *as derived by manual,
3
4 2 9 +
= [( ) + ] (3.11)
3 2 2 2

Where all the symbols and variables are:

charge carried by the droplet, p barometric pressure.

separation of the plates inside the chamber, a radius of the drop in cm as calculated by
7.6103 equation (3.7),
density of oil, 886 /3 velocity of fall, /
acceleration of gravity, 9.8 / 2 velocity of rise. /
viscosity of air in poise, /2 , See Appendix A potential difference across the plates,
b constant, 8.20 103

16
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

MATERIALS:

PASCO Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus AP 8210

Stopwatch
Vernier caliper

PROCEDURE:

1. In a dark room, set up the Millikan oil drop apparatus. Select a location free of movement and vibrations.

Figure 3.3 Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus with labelled parts

2. Make sure that the apparatus is leveled. Adjust the apparatus to a desired scope viewing height using a
rod stand and support stands.
3. To determine , the plate separation, disassemble the droplet viewing chamber and measure the
thickness of the plastic spacer with a micrometer.
4. Reassemble the droplet viewing chamber without its housing (while keeping the other components
aligned)
5. Insert the focusing wire into the hole in the center of the top capacitor plate.
6. Connect the 12 V DC transformer into the lam power jack in the halogen lamp housing and plug it into a
wall socket.
7. By viewing through the scope, bring the reticle (viewing screen with line separation of 0.5 mm major
divisions, 0.1 mm minor divisions) and focusing wire into sharp focus by turning the reticle focusing ring
and droplet focusing ring, respectively. (The assigned viewer in the group must do this)
8. Adjust the horizontal filament knob until the right edge of the focusing wire is the brightest. (This means
that the beam of light is perpendicular to the long axis of the scope)
9. Turn the vertical filament adjustment knob until the light is brightest on the wire in the reticle.
10. Remove the focusing wire and return it to its storage.
11. Reassemble the droplet viewing chamber by placing the droplet hole cover first, and the housing, then the
lid.
12. Connect the High Voltage DC power Supply to the plate voltage connectors using banana plug patch
cords and adjust to deliver 500 V.

23
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
LABORATORY PROTOCOL
13. Measure the voltage, , through connecting a digital multimeter to the plate voltage connectors. (Do not
measure voltage across capacitor plates)
14. Measure the temperature in the chamber by connecting an ohmmeter to the thermistor connectors in the
apparatus. Refer to Appendix A and B to determine .
15. Measure every 15 minutes throughout the experiment as the temperature may change in the chamber
due to exposure to the heat generated by the halogen lamp.
16. Prepare the atomizer by rapidly squeezing the bulb until oil is spraying out.

Figure 3.4. (a) Mounting of Millikan Apparatus; (b) Droplet Housing Chamber; and, (c) Focusing set up

17. Move the ionization source lever to the Spray Droplet Position. This allows air to escape when oil drops
are being introduced to the chamber.
18. Place the nozzle of the atomizer into the hole on the lid of the droplet viewing chamber.
19. While observing through the scope, squeeze the atomizer bulb with one quick squeeze. Force the
droplets through the droplet entry hole by squeezing the atomizer bulb, again, this time slowly.
20. When there is a shower of drops through the viewing screen, move the ionization source lever to OFF.
21. Choose a droplet that falls slowly (0.02 0.05 mm/s) for both cases when plates are grounded (PLATES
GROUND POSITION) and when driven up and down (TOP PLATE or TOP PLATE +)
22. When you have found the one, fine tune the focus of the viewing scope.
23. Measure the rise (plates charged) and fall (plates not charged) velocities of the selected droplet about
10 20 times or until it moves out of view, record in Table (1) and take the average. Maneuver the droplet
as needed using the plate voltage switch.
24. Calculate the charge on that droplet. If charge is more the 5 , select slower droplets.
25. Repeat the procedure, choosing another droplet.
26. Bring the droplet to the top of the field of view and move the ionization lever to the ON position for a few
seconds as the droplet falls.
27. If the rising velocity of the droplet changes, make as many measurements of the new rising velocity as
you can (10 to 20 measurements). Repeat the procedure for 5 more droplets (or different sets of rise and
fall velocities).

POST PROCESSING:

1. At the end of the experiment, you will be able to calculate the charge on each droplet. Expect droplets
consisting of multiples of that of the elementary charge (i.e. 5 ). Discuss among the group how you will
be able to calculate the elementary charge from that set of data. Record the discussed procedure in the
worksheet.

24
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
WORKSHEET

Rise (top plate +) Fall (Plates grounded)

Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity ( ) Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity ( )
(x 10-__ m/s) (x 10-__ m/s)
Drop 1

Drop 2

Drop 3

Table 3.1. Velocities of Selected Drops

25
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
WORKSHEET

Rise (top plate +) Fall (Plates grounded)

Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity ( ) Distance (m) Time (s) Velocity ( )
-__
(x 10 m/s) (x 10-__ m/s)
Drop 4

Drop 5

Drop 6

Table 3.2. Velocities of Selected Drops

26
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
WORKSHEET

Quantity Value Unit Uncertainty

Voltage supplied (V)
Plate Separation (d)
Density of oil ()
Acceleration of gravity (g)
Constant (b)
Pressure (p)
Viscosity ()

Table 3.3. Other necessary quantities

Drop number Velocities (x 10-__ m/s) Charge Computed (x 10-__ C)

1 rise
fall
2 rise
fall
3 rise
fall
4 rise
fall
5 rise
fall
6 rise
fall
Table 3.4. Velocities of drops with Calculated Charges

SPACE FOR CALCULATING from Table 3.4:

27
 Experiment 3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
WORKSHEET

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Justify your post processing analysis in obtaining the elementary charge .

2. How does the experimental charge compare to the theoretical 1.602 1019 charge of the
electron? What are the sources of error?

3. What possible measures could the experimenters take to reduce human error in the experiment?

28
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

OBJECTIVES:

1. Observe the photoelectric effect and compute for Plancks Constant.

2. Determine the dependent of the energy of the emitted electrons with frequency and intensity of light.

PRINCIPLES:

Electrons are emitted (almost instantaneously) when light is shone on some metallic surfaces. This
phenomenon is called the photoelectric effect.

The light incident on the surface gives its energy, , to one electron in the surface of a metal (where is
the Plancks constant, and is the frequency of the light).

Einsteins model of light represents the radiation as a quanta of light (a photon) with the energy equal to
. This amount of energy is absorbed by one electron. However, if the electron that absorbed the energy is below
the surface, some of its energy is lost as it works toward the surface of the material. This is called the metals work
function, , which also represents the bond of the electrons to the metal.

If the quanta energy is greater than the work function, then electrons are emitted with a maximum kinetic
energy of

= 0 . (4.1)

In 1902, Philip Lenard used a collector and emitter plate and a

sensitive ammeter to measure the current produced when the emitter plate is
exposed to light (see Figure 4.1). To measure the energy of the electrons, he
set the collector plate to be negative, that is to repel the emitted electrons. If
the collector plate is charged to a stopping potential, electrons do not reach
the collector plate and the photocurrent is zero; the maximum kinetic energy
is therefore equal to energy , where is the stopping potential. Therefore,

0
= (4.2)

Compared to the general equation of the line, we can that if the

stopping potential V is plotted as a function of , then the slope of the line is
/.

There is zero photocurrent when the emitter and collector plates are
charged to the stopping potential. By increasing the applied voltage, the
photocurrent will increase quickly and reach a saturation point dependent on
the radiations intensity.

Figure 4.1. A Diagram for studying

the photoelectric effect (Source:
Physics for Scientists and
Engineers. Serway and Jewett)

29
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
LABORATORY PROTOCOL

MATERIALS:

AP 8209 Photoelectric Effect Apparatus Set-up

PROCEDURE

A. SET UP PROCEDURE

1. Cover the window of the Mercury Light Source enclosure with the Lamp Cap.
2. Cover the window of the Photodiode with the Photodiode Cap.
3. Turn on the power supply, mercury lamp, and the photoelectric effect apparatus.
4. Warm up the light source for 20 minutes.
5. Set the Voltage Range Switch to 2 0V and the Current Range switch to 1013 .
6. Disconnect the A, K, and down arrow (ground) cables from the back of the apparatus.
7. Press the Phototube Signal to Calibration and adjust the current calibration knob until the current
is zero.
8. Press the Phototube Signal button to Measure.
9. Reconnect the removed A, K, and down arrow cables.

B. PLANCKS CONSTANT

1. Uncover the Photodiode Enclosure and place the 4-mm diameter aperture and 365 nm filter on
the window of the enclosure.

Note: Never let the light from the Mercury Light Source shine directly (no filters) into the
Photodiode enclosure.

2. Uncover the window of the Light Source.

3. Adjust the Voltage Adjust knob until the current in the ammeter is zero.
4. Record the magnitude of the stopping potential for the 365-mm wavelength in Table 4.1.
5. Plot your values in Figure 4.2.
6. Repeat the measurement procedure for 404.7, 435.8, 546.1, 577.0 nm filters making sure to
cover the photodiode enclosure when replacing the filters.
7. Repeat Step B (1 5) for 2 mm and 8 mm diameter Aperture

C. FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY DEPENDENCE

1. Repeat Step A (1 9) to calibrate the Set up. But this time set the Voltage range and the Current
Range on the apparatus to 2 +30 V and 1011 , respectively.
2. Uncover the Photodiode (while the light source is covered) and place the 4-mm diameter aperture
and the 436-nm filter in the window.
3. Uncover the window of the Light Source.
4. Adjust the 2 +30 V voltage adjust knob until the current display is zero. Record the voltage
current in Table 1.4.
5. Increase the voltage by 1 V. Record the new voltage and current.
6. Continue to increase the voltage until 30 V.
7. Cover the window of the Mercury Light Source.
8. Plot the current vs. voltage in Figure 4.3.
9. Repeat Step C (2 7) for 2 mm and 8 mm diameter aperture (using the 436-nm filter constant).
10. Repeat Step C (2 7) for 546 nm and 577 nm filter (using the 4mm diameter aperture).

30
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

I. PLANCKS CONSTANT

Table 4.1. Stopping Potential vs. Frequency (Data values) for all
Stopping Potential (V)
Wavelength Frequency (1014 ) 4 mm 2 mm 8 mm
365.0
404.7
435.8
546.1
577.0

Plot 4.1. Plot of Stopping Potential for all

Stopping Potential (V)

Frequency (x 1014 Hz)

Table 4.2. Slope and Comparison

Equation of the line Slope/e Theoretical h % Difference
4 mm
2 mm
8 mm

31
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

OBSERVATIONS: (from Plot 4.1 and Table 4.1 to 4.2)

space for CALCULATIONS:

32
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

II. FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY DEPENDENCE

Table 4.3. Current and Voltage values of 4 mm; 2mm; 8 mm (436nm)

Current
Voltage 4 mm 2 mm 8 mm
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

33
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

Plot 4.2. Plot of I vs. V of 4 mm; 2 mm; 8mm (436 nm)

Current (A)

Voltage (V)

34
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

Table 4.4: Current and voltage values of 436 nm, 546 nm, and 577 nm (4 mm aperture)
Current
Voltage 436 nm 546 nm 577 nm
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

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 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

Plot 4.3. Plot of I vs. V of 436 nm, 546 nm, and 577 nm (4 mm aperture)
Current (A)

Voltage (V)

36
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

OBSERVATIONS (from Plot 4.2 and Table 4.3):

OBSERVATIONS (from Plot 4.3 and Table 4.4):

37
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. How does your calculated value of h for each different aperture compare to the accepted value, 0 =
6.626 1034 ?

2. What do you think may account for the difference if any between your calculated value of h and the
accepted value?

3. How can you find the value of the Work Function from the graph of Stopping Potential versus Frequency?

4. How does light intensity affect the Stopping Potential?

38
 Experiment 4. Photoelectric Effect
WORKSHEET

5. How do the curves of current versus voltage for the one spectral line at three different intensities
compare? In other words, how are the curves similar to each other?

6. How do the curves of current versus voltage for the one spectral line at three different intensities
contrast? In other words, how do the curves differ from each other.

7. How do the curves of current versus voltage for the three spectral lines at a constant intensity compare?
In other words, how are the curves similar to each other?

8. How do the curves of current versus voltage for the three spectral lines at a constant intensity contrast? In
other words, how do the curves differ from each other.

39
 PHYSICS 104.1 MANUAL
APPENDIX A: VISCOSITY OF DRY AIR AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE

40
 PHYSICS 104.1 MANUAL
APPENDIX B: THERMISTOR RESISTANCE AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES (EXP 4)

41
 References
PASCO Scientific Manuals. (n.d.). Retrieved from PASCO Scientific website: http://www.pasco.com

Giancoli, D. C. (2014). Physics Principles with Applications (7th ed.). United States of America: Pearson
Education, Inc.

Serway, R. A., & Faughn, J. S. (1995). College Physics (4th ed.). United States of America: Harcourt Brace
College Publishers.

Young, H. D., & Freedman, R. A. (2012). University Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed.). San Fransisco, CA:
Pearson Education, Inc.

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