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The Particle of Light

The Particle of Light. A particle model of light is necessary to describe phenomena observed in modern physics, for example, the interaction between light and atoms. The Photoelectric Effect. Many physicists’ work contributed to the discovery of the photoelectric effect What is it?

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The Particle of Light

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  1. The Particle of Light • A particle model of light is necessary to describe phenomena observed in modern physics, for example, the interaction between light and atoms. Light as a Particle

  2. The Photoelectric Effect • Many physicists’ work contributed to the discovery of the photoelectric effect • What is it? • The ability of light to dislodge electrons from a metallic surface • The electrons can be detected and the resulting signals amplified • Lots of applications in visual imaging Light as a Particle

  3. Questions • How many electrons are ejected in a given time? • How does this number depend of wavelength or intensity? • How energetic of the ejected electrons? • Upon what does the electron energy depend? • Are electrons ejected instantly or is there a time delay? Light as a Particle

  4. Photoelectric Experiments • Cathode – electrons are ejected • Anode – electrons are collected Experiment 2 Experiment 1 Light as a Particle

  5. Photoelectric Experiments - con’t • a) Electrons freely flow from the anode back to the cathode and they are counted along the way • Can determine how # of e- depends on wavelength and intensity; time light must shine on cathode for electrons to flow Light as a Particle

  6. Photoelectric Experiments - con’t • b) Ejected electrons have to overcome the electric field to get to the anode Light as a Particle

  7. Photoelectric Experiments - con’t • b) Ejected electrons have to overcome the electric field to get to the anode • Can determine energy of ejected electron • If the potential difference between the plates, ΔΦ = 2.0 V, the difference between the electron’s electrostatic potential energy at the anode and its potential energy at the cathode is • The electron can make it to the anode only if it has an initial kinetic energy greater than this Light as a Particle

  8. Wave Model Predictions • The rate at which electrons are ejected from a metal is proportional to the intensity of the incident light. • Lower intensity light rays should have a delay before electrons are ejected • The rate may depend on frequency (wavelength) of light • The maximum kinetic energy of the electrons is likely to increase with increasing intensity Light as a Particle

  9. Experiments Provide the Following Results • At high intensities and fixed frequencies, the # of ejected electrons is proportional to intensity • Electrons are ejected instantly, regardless of intensity level • For constant intensity, the # of electrons decreases with increasing frequency • If the frequency is below a certain level, no electrons are ejected, regardless of intensity level • Above the cutoff frequency, the electrons’ maximum kinetic energy is propostional to the frequency of light ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Light as a Particle

  10. Maximum Energy depends on Frequency • Above the cutoff frequency, the electrons’ maximum kinetic energy is proportional to the frequency of light Light as a Particle

  11. Einstein’s Prediction – light is a particle • Light consists of particles, each carrying a certain amount of energy • Where E is the energy, f is the frequency, and h is Planck’s constant • We typically express colors of light in wavelengths Light as a Particle

  12. Einstein’s Prediction - con’t • Einstein also predicted that each electron ejected from the metal was a result of a collision with a single photon • Where K is the kinetic energy of the electron and W is the work function for the metal • The work function is the energy required to liberate the electron from the metal Light as a Particle

  13. Einstein’s Prediction - con’t • Einstein’s model explains the experimental results so neatly, why was there resistance in the science community? • This model is completely inconsistent with the wave nature of light. • Neither model, wave or particle, adequately explains light by itself Light as a Particle

  14. Extra Credit • Several extra credit projects have been added to the schedule. • Check Moodle and the online schedule for more info. • Acousto-magnetic strips deter shoplifters, due 4/23 • Blue Man Group Pipe Instruments, due 4/23 • Make an instrument, due 4/28 • Applications of the photoelectric effect, due 4/28 Light as a Particle

  15. Practice • Interactive activity – photoelectric effect for different metals • Go to the site below and answer the questions at the bottom of the page • http://www.lon-capa.org/~mmp/kap28/PhotoEffect/photo.htm • Interactive problem • http://wug.physics.uiuc.edu/cgi/courses/shell/per/phys102/ie.pl?12/pe1 • Group Problems • Q3B.5, Q3S.4 Light as a Particle

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