Photoelectric effect and determining the planckconstant

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on using the photoelectric effect to determine Planck's constant from experimental data on the kinetic energy of expelled electrons. The formula Ek = hf - W is simplified to Ek = h(f - fw), where fw is the threshold frequency. Participants emphasize the importance of graphing the data to visualize the relationship between kinetic energy and frequency, suggesting that the slope of the graph can provide the value of Planck's constant. Additionally, there is a brief diversion into a separate question about photon energy from electron-positron collisions, but it is advised to keep that topic separate. Overall, the key takeaway is that the slope of the graph correlates directly to Planck's constant.
Nikitin
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Homework Statement


In an experiment with the photoelectric effect, the kinetic energy of the expelled electrons was measured. Draw a graph using this data and find the Planckconstant.

Data:
f(1014)hz : 5, 7, 9, 11
Ek(10-18)J: 0.07,0.19,0.3,0.43

Homework Equations


well, Ek + W = hf where Ek is the kinetic energy of the electron, W= the energy needed to liberate it and hf the energy of the photon hitting an atom.

The Attempt at a Solution



As far as I know, one can simplify the above formula to Ek=h(f-fw) where fw is the frequency needed to liberate the electron in the first place. To determine Planck's constant I thought about ΔEk/Δ(f-fw) but I'm a bit confused since Ek isn't proportional to f, but to (f-fw) I'm not sure if that's going to make any difference tho..

So, am I on the right track?

thx 4 all help in advance.
 
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Did you draw the graph? That could be helpful.

Anyway, look at the equation you wrote:
K=h\nu-\phi=h\nu-h\nu_f
What's the relationship between the frequency \nu and the energy?
 
v=K/h + vf

vf remains constant while K increases, but when v increases by a factor of 10, this doesn't mean that K will increase by a factor of 10...
 
Last edited:
Electron/Positron Impact & Photon Energies

BTW, can you help me with another thing? "An electron and a positron are moving against each other. at the point of impact both have the velocity 0.6c

Two gamma photons are sent out. What is each of theirs energy?"

Well, the sum of momentum equals zero in both cases and thus the momentum of each of the photons must equal [lorentzfactor]*9.11*(10^-31)*1.8*10^8 = 0.615*10^-13. But the book says I'm wrong with the momentum. Please help with this...

You'd better move the second question and write it in a new topic.

Returning to the photoelectric problem,
K=h\nu-h\nu_f is in the same form as y=mx+q, where m=h.

What does this suggest you?
 
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ah right. thanks, i forgot about that. so h equals the growth rate
 

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