Homework Help: Photo electric effect relate to determining the charge of an electron?

1. Dec 8, 2003

Kristine

how does the photo electric effect relate to determining the charge of an electron?

2. Dec 9, 2003

I'm not sure that it does.

The photoelectric effect is where incident photons have sufficient energy to knock electrons out of their captured state - ie ionise the material. Charge is irrelevant here.

3. Dec 9, 2003

himanshu121

If we apply formula for Photoelectric effect i.e.

$$k_{max}=E_{photon}-\phi(work function of metal)$$

now if we are able to stop the fastest moving electron with cuttoff voltage such that $$eV_0 = K_{max}$$
so we can calculate e from above equation

But i'm not sure whether this is applied for charge calculation

Last edited: Dec 9, 2003
4. Dec 9, 2003

Njorl

The classic experiment for determination of electron charge is the Milliken Oil Drop Experiment. Or, as I call it, the Milliken Eye-strain Experiment.

Njorl

5. Dec 10, 2003

himanshu121

Yes its true classical method was developed by Milikan

But i read somewhere that he manipulated with his readings , is there any controversy