The Photoelectric Effect

Medina, Elijah Justin, Orden, Alfiero II, Santos, Eduard, and Ugalino, Mark
National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
Corresponding author: edsantos@up.edu.ph

Abstract
For this experiment, we determine the dependence of stopping potential
to the intensity of light and the transmission of yellow and green filters
both of which are classical phenomena caused by the photoelectric effect.
From the first part of the experiment, we deduce a positive relationship
between the color of light and its stopping potential. For the second part
of the experiment, we determine that the relationship between wavelength
and light transmission is directly proportional for light and filters of same
color.

1.

Introduction

Photoelectric emission involves light striking a material thus causing electrons to be emitted. The wave
model of light predicted that as the intensity of incident light was increased, the energy would also
increase. However, the quantum model of light predicted that an increase in energy is caused by higher
frequency light; increased intensity only increases the number of electrons emitted. The predictions made
by the quantum model were experimentally verified, thus leading to Einsteins equation for photoelectric
effect:
E = h = Kmax + W0

(1)

where Kmax is the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons, W0 is the energy needed
to remove them from the surface of the material, E is the energy supplied by the quantum of light known
as a photon, is the frequency of light and h is Plancks constant.
When a photon is incident on an electron in the cathode of a vacuum tube, the electron has energy
Kmax . When the counteracting electrical energy Ve acting on the electron is equal to Kmax , the electron
will not move. Accounting for the additional contact potential due to the different surfaces of the
anode and cathode, electrons will only reach the anode when
Kmax = Ve +

(2)

where e = 1.602 1019 C. Substituting Equation (2) into Equation (1) and subsequently solving for
the stopping potential V yields
Wo +
h

.
(3)
e
e
The stopping potential varies for different wavelengths of light. Similarly, the stopping potential
reading of a light source changes when a color filter acts on it. The two observed stopping potentials can
then be used to derive the transmittance of the filter with the wavelength of the light source using the
formula
V =

Transmission =

stopping potential with filter

100
stopping potential without filer

(4)

The objectives of the experiment are (1) to compare the wave model and the quantum model by
determining the relationship between the energy, frequency and wavelength of light and (2) to determine
the transmittance of yellow and green filters for different wavelengths.

2.

Methodology

Using standard calibration procedures, we first adjusted the h/e apparatus with respect to the Mercury
voltmeter and digital voltmeter. We then divided the experiment proper into two parts: (1) experimentation regarding the dependence of of the stopping potential on intensity, and (2) the experimentation
regarding the transmittance of the filters.
For the experiment regarding the dependence of the stopping potential on intensity, we first adjusted
the h/e apparatus such that only one color will fall on the opening mask of the photodiode. Then the
variable transmission filter was set to 100% and the approximate time to recharge the instrument was
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noted. Afterwards, the instrument was again discharged and recharged to its maximum potential. We
record this maximum potential as given by the digital voltmeter (DVM). This was repeated for the next
four transmission percentages (60%, 40%, 20%, 0%) and for different colors.
Lastly, for the experimentation regarding the transmittance of the filters,we first focus the UV part
of the Hg spectrum to the aperture of the h/e apparatus and took note of its stopping potential. A
yellow filter was then placed to the aperture. The two stopping potentials can then be used to calculate
the transmittance of the filter to UV light using Equation 4. This portion was then repeated for a green
filter.

3.

Results and Discussion

Figure 1: Plot of wavelength versus stopping potential; notice the relationship between
the stopping potential and the color of light

In Figure 1, a plot describing the characteristic of wavelength along with the stopping voltage was
plotted. From this, we can easily deduce a relationship between the value of the stopping potential and
the color of the light. We must recall that the color of the light is directly related to its frequency. The
relation, E = hf from Equation 1 consequently relates the frequency of light to its energy. We can,
therefore, deduce a possible relationship between the energy of the light transmitted to the amount of
displaced electrons in the photodiode, thus producing a discrete amount of potential induced per color.
It can be observed that the stopping voltage increases with decreasing wavelength.
In Figure 2, a plot of the stopping potential versus the transmission percentage is presented. It can be
observed that the stopping potential induced dropped with a fairly minimum amount, from 20 percent
transmission up to a 100 percent transmission. This implies that the intensity of light that reflected upon
the photodiode might have a little to no influence on the potential induced. From this, we can generalize
the former observations into the fact that the intensity of light that reflects upon a metal surface does
not affect the amount of potential induced on its surface; only the wavelength can affect it.
In Figure 3, a close examination on the transmittance of light through a yellow and a green filter
versus its wavelength can be observed through a bar plot. It presents a direct comparison between
the values. It was observed that the transmittance level was fairly the same with wavelengths 404.656
nm (violet) and 435.835 nm (blue). There was a fairly higher level amongst the wavelengths for the
546.074 nm (green) light and the 578 nm (yellow) light. Lastly, the measurement of transmittance for
wavelengths 590 nm (orange) and 650 nm (red) was higher than that of violet and blue. This can be
explained by the fact that the colors green and yellow are closely complementary with orange and red.
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Figure 2: Plot of stopping potential versus the transmission percentage

Figure 3: Plot of transmission of light through a yellow and green filter versus wavelength

4.

Conclusion

The quantum model correctly predicts that energy is dependent on the frequency of light by Equation 1
since decreasing the wavelength of the incident light on the photodiode increases the stopping voltage.
Additionally, increasing the intensity of the light does not affect the energy in any noticeable way.
The transmission through a filter for a light wave of complementary color is high while that for a
light wave of opposing color is low. Thus, given a colored filter, transmission is directly proportional for
complementary colors and inversely for opposing colors.

References
[1] R. Eisberg, R. Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles, 2nd
edition.
[2] The Photoelectric Effect, Physics 104.1 Manual

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