Lecture 1

Quantum theory and Photoelectric effect

Prepared by: Harminder Singh

The basic definition of a wave is the displacement of energy propagating along a medium

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

 If a boat is traveling through water, it pushes the water out of its resting place, causing the water to propagate until another object alters its path. As the water wave is propagating, it releases energy and displaces the particles of the medium. This displacement is the key factor in causing a wave.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005705/English/Waves/types.htm

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Wavelength (lambda) is the distance between identical points on successive waves. The frequency (nu) is the number of waves that pass through a particular point in one second. Amplitude is the vertical distance from the midline of a wave to the peak or trough.
Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

 The dull red glow of an electric heater bright white light of a tungsten light bulb are examples of radiation from heated solids.

Prepared by: Harminder Singh

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Black Body Radiation

A black body is an idealized object that absorbs all electromagnetic radiation falling on it. Blackbodies absorb and incandescently re-emit radiation in a characteristic, continuous spectrum. Because no light (visible electromagnetic radiation) is reflected or transmitted, the object appears black when it is cold. However, a black body emits a temperature-dependent spectrum of light. This thermal radiation from a black body is termed black-body radiation. In the blackbody spectrum, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, and the higher frequency is related to the higher temperature. Thus, the color of a hotter object is closer to the blue end of the spectrum and the color of a cooler object is closer to the red.
Edited by: Dr Mukesh

 Attempts to account for this dependence in terms of established wave theory and thermodynamic laws were only partially successful. One theory explained short-wavelength dependence but failed to account for the longer wavelengths. Another theory accounted for the longer wavelengths but failed for short wavelengths. It seemed that something fundamental was missing from the laws of classical physics.
Prepared by: Harminder Singh

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Photoelectric Effect
Edited by: Dr Mukesh

If we consider light as wave: So if light is classical wave, predict that just puts energy into plate, heats up, get diode current voltage curve. Also takes time to heat up. Light on longer, heat more, es out faster = more current. Color light does not matter, only intensity.
Edited by: Dr Mukesh

Prepared by: Harminder Singh

 Einstein suggested that a beam of light is really a stream of particles. These particles of light are now called photons.

where KE is the kinetic energy of the ejected electron and BE is the binding energy of the electron in the metal. Rewriting Equation as

Prepared by: Harminder Singh