Can plotting corrected values help determine a more precise E_g?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the method of plotting corrected values to determine a more precise value of the energy gap, \(E_g\), in a physics experiment. Participants explore the implications of different equations and their relationships to temperature, focusing on whether plotting corrected values leads to a more accurate determination of \(E_g\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that plotting \(qV\) against \(T\) should yield a straight line with \(E_g\) as the y-intercept, but questions whether using the corrected value \(qV_c\) will provide a more accurate result.
  • Another participant argues that the original equation does not account for the \(- (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})k\ln(T)\) term, suggesting that this term introduces a disturbance and that \(qV_c\) should be plotted against \(T\) for a more linear relationship.
  • A later reply clarifies that plotting \(qV_c\) against \(T\) will yield a straight line, with the intercept representing \(E_g\), and discusses the assumption that the correction is valid over a specific temperature range.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about which equation to plot, with one noting that only the equation \(qV_c = E_g + kT\ln(\frac{I}{A})\) will yield a linear relationship in \(T\).
  • Another participant acknowledges their lack of data and reflects on their tendency to seek confirmation about which equation to use for plotting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to plotting the equations, with multiple competing views on how to accurately determine \(E_g\) through graphical methods. There is uncertainty regarding the impact of the correction terms and the linearity of the relationships presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention assumptions about the constancy of certain terms over specific temperature ranges, as well as the potential inaccuracies introduced by these assumptions. The discussion reflects a focus on the mathematical relationships rather than definitive conclusions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers interested in experimental physics, particularly those working on determining energy gaps and analyzing temperature-dependent relationships in their data.

Kara386
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I have the equation

##qV = E_g + T[kln(\frac{I}{A}) - (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kln(T)]##

So if I plot ##qV## against ##T## that'll be a straight line with the y-intercept being ##E_g##. But then my lab manual says a more precise value of ##E_g## can be found by plotting the corrected value

##qV_c = qV + (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kTln(T)##

So does that mean if I want to plot ##qV_c## against ##T##, which I think is what's being asked, then I should plot

##qV_c = E_g + kTln(\frac{I}{A})##

And I'll get my more accurate ##E_g##?
 
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Hi,

You can't plot ##E_g## to find ##E_g##. (which probably is also not how I should understand your last line (*))

Your first
Kara386 said:
So if I plot ##qV## against ##T## that'll be a straight line
ignores the ##
- (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kln(T)## in the full ##qV## expression. I suppose this is a small disturbance (?) and ##qV_c## is an attempt to get a more linear relationship.

You really want to plot ##qV_c## against ##T## ((*) which I think is how I should understand your last sentence).

But of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Does it indeed yield a more linear graph ?

PS if you want to avoid things like ##kln## in ##\TeX## use \ln to get ##k\ln##
 
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BvU said:
Hi,

You can't plot ##E_g## to find ##E_g##. (which probably is also not how I should understand your last line (*))

Your first
ignores the ##
- (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kln(T)## in the full ##qV## expression. I suppose this is a small disturbance (?) and ##qV_c## is an attempt to get a more linear relationship.

You really want to plot ##qV_c## against ##T## ((*) which I think is how I should understand your last sentence).

But of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Does it indeed yield a more linear graph ?

PS if you want to avoid things like ##kln## in ##\TeX## use \ln to get ##k\ln##

Sorry, should have made it clearer. :) As you thought, I meant I'll plot the corrected value of ##qV_c## against ##T## and the intercept of that graph will be my more accurate ##E_g##. I think I can consider the ##- (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kln(T)## to be constant for ##T## in the range 200 to 400 Kelvin, where all measurements will be taken, but probably the correction tries to deal with inaccuracies caused by that assumption. And thanks for the tip, I'll switch to ##\ln## in future!
 
Plotting your first equation vs. T will not give a straight line as there is a ln(T) term. Plotting

##qV_c = qV + (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kTln(T)##

vs. T will give a straight line since T is now appearing linearly on the right hand side of the equation. The intercept of that straight line on the vertical axis will be Eg.
 
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pixel said:
Plotting your first equation vs. T will not give a straight line as there is a ln(T) term. Plotting

##qV_c = qV + (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kTln(T)##

vs. T will give a straight line since T is now appearing linearly on the right hand side of the equation. The intercept of that straight line on the vertical axis will be Eg.
If I sub ##qV = qV_c - (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kT\ln(T)## into my first equation, that gives

##qV_c = E_g + kT\ln(\frac{I}{A})##

Which is linear in ##T##. Are you saying that's what I should plot, or just plot

##qV_c = qV + (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kTln(T)##?
 
How about doing it instead of asking ?
 
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Kara386 said:
If I sub ##qV = qV_c - (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kT\ln(T)## into my first equation, that gives

##qV_c = E_g + kT\ln(\frac{I}{A})##

Which is linear in ##T##. Are you saying that's what I should plot, or just plot

##qV_c = qV + (3 + \frac{\gamma}{2})kTln(T)##?

Please note that only this equation

[tex]qV_c = E_g + kT\ln(\frac{I}{A})[/tex]

will give you a linear equation in T if you plot qVc versus T. All the others that you wrote have extra "T" hanging around elsewhere in the equation.

Zz.
 
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BvU said:
How about doing it instead of asking ?
I don't actually have any data yet. And I know only one of the equations is linear, therefore must be the right one, so checking which one to plot was unecessary except for my peace of mind, I suppose. Bad habit of mine. Thanks for your help everyone! :)
 

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