Final Project

Space, Time, and Motion

Brian Parton

March 13, 2017

Overview Information

Introduction and Central Focus

The Photoelectric Effect provided one of the foundational turning points in the history of
physics. The experiment involved electrons being emitted from a metal surface when exposed
to light. When it was first discovered, an attempt to explain the results through the prism of
classical physics proved to be incorrect. At the time, light was known to exist as a wave, so it
was expected that the intensity of this wave was the key factor in providing the energy
necessary for this phenomenon to take place. However, experimental results did not agree with
this expectation and, for years, the true nature of what was happening remained a scien tific
mystery. This changed when Albert Einstein proposed an explanation of the experimental
results, which included a radically different way of looking at light: as both wave and particle.
He argued that light traveled through space as a wave, but interacted with matter as a particle.
This explained the experimental findings that light wavelength, and not amplitude, was the key
factor in determining the amount of energy available to transfer to the metal surface. This is
due to the presence of light photons, which act as bundles of energy, within the light wave
which directly interact with particles of matter. The amount of energy contained within a
photon is determined by the wavelength of the light wave. This discovery led to the creation of
an entirely new field of physics, quantum mechanics, helping to explain the differences in the
laws of motion at microscopic levels and how they affect the world around us.

As part of this lesson series, students will learn about the details of the Photoelectric Effect
experiment and why it was so significant in the world of modern physics. In Part One, students
will begin by reviewing the wave-like properties of light to establish the groundwork for the
classical physics theory for the Photoelectric Effect. Next, students will actively manipulate a
computer simulation of this experiment and collect the same types of data collected in the
original experiments, exposing the flaws in these original assumptions. In Part Two, students
will collect additional data from the computer simulation and answer questions that are
designed to aid in leading them to preliminary conclusions. In Part Three, students will first
summarize their findings to that point and be led through a real-world analogy of light acting as
a particle, all leading to an examination of Einsteins solution to the mystery of the Photoelectric
Effect. Finally, students will learn and reflect upon the impacts of Einsteins discoveries on
modern physics and the world today.

Intended Learners

The intended learners for this lesson would be a high school level physics course. Since I am
using the curriculum standards for my home county, I will also use the typical demographics of a
physics class in Knox County, Tennessee. Most students taking physics are higher-level students
(honors and/or AP), with strong backgrounds in math and science. The typical physics course in
 Knox County is taken by Juniors and Seniors as a science elective with a pre-requisite of at least
Algebra II.

Content Standards

Content standards used for this lesson series are taken from the Knox County, Tennessee High
School Physics Standards, which includes Tennessee Course Level Expectations and State
Performance Indicators.

Course Level Expectations 3231.6.2 Investigate properties of the quantum theory.

Checks for Understanding 3231.6.7 Recognize how the quantum theory explains the
photoelectric effect.
Checks for Understanding 3231.6.13 Investigate and describe quantum mechanics and the
properties of quantum theory.
State Performance Indicator 3231.6.5 Identify the major historical achievements of modern
nuclear physicists related to the discovery of atomic particles, quantum theory, and the
standard model.

Curricular Fit

This lesson series would likely need to be near the end of the course, since it requires prior
knowledge of properties of light and waves, as well as some knowledge of thermodynamics and
classical mechanics. Specifically, students will need to be able to apply the known properties of
light as a wave to the Photoelectric Effect experiment. Students will also need to understand
the specifics of kinetic energy transfer between two particles, as well as understanding how a
particle gains heat through vibration (applying to classical physics expectation for electron
emission). The standards for this lesson are included within the Nuclear Physics Standard for
Knox County Schools. This standard is listed as the 6th and final standards group, which is only
listed as being 2% of the course or 2 instructional days for pacing. This also reinforces the
placement of this lesson at the very end of a typical high school physics course. The
introduction to quantum mechanics would be especially beneficial for students planning to take
physics at the college level.

Learning Objectives

TLW (The learner will) correctly identify properties of light which demonstrate particle-like
behavior.
TLW correctly identify properties of light which demonstrate wave -like behavior.
TLW collect and interpret data from a computer simulation of the photoelectric effect.
TLW identify how Einsteins explanation for the photoelectric effect better fits data collected
from the simulation than classical physics assumptions.

Materials/Resources

Teacher computer with internet access

PowerPoint presentation
PhET Photoelectric Effect simulator (online)
Projection screen/area with projector connected to teacher computer
Student paper/pencil for notes
 Student smartphone/tablet/laptop with internet access
Photoelectric Effect - Part One: Replicating the Experiment worksheet
Photoelectric Effect - Part One: Review worksheet
Photoelectric Effect - Part Two: Data Collection worksheet
Photoelectric Effect - Part Three: Final Assessment worksheet
Photoelectric Effect - Part Three: Final Assessment scoring rubric

Lesson Scope/Sequence

Timing Part 1 Light as a Wave and the Photoelectric Effect

What the teacher does What the student does
10 min. Beginning of Lesson Follow along with PowerPoint
Open and display PowerPoint presentation and take notes as
presentation that will be used needed.
throughout lesson to present Respond to review questions for
lesson information. wave-like characteristics of light.
Review wave-like characteristics
of light, seeking student input
before each characteristic is
revealed in detail to test prior
knowledge.
Introduce the Photoelectric Effect
experiment to students.

40 min. Activity and Formative Assessment Follow along with PowerPoint

Explain to students how the
Photoelectric Effect experiment
was conducted. Display diagram
of effect and ask students for
ideas as to how they think it might
happen.
Discuss the assumptions made by
physicists at the time to explain
the results, based on wave-like
properties of light.
Use the link within PowerPoint
presentation to open PhET
Photoelectric Effect simulator.
Demonstrate to students how to
manipulate and interpret various
data points from the PhET
simulator, including how to adjust
light wavelength and intensity and
how to access the graphs on the
right side of the window.
presentation and take notes as
needed.
Propose ideas for how
Photoelectric Effect might work
based on diagram.
Follow demonstration of how to
use PhET simulator with the goal
of being able to independently
manipulate simulator for next
task.
Use PhET simulator to collect data
to complete Photoelectric Effect
Part One: Replicating the
Experiment sheet.
Go over and discuss results with
teacher as a class upon
completion of sheet.
 Distribute Photoelectric Effect:
Part One: Replicating the
Experiment sheet and give
students class time to complete.
When students have completed
sheet, go over and discuss results
together as a class.

10 min. End of Lesson/Wrap Up Work on Photoelectric Effect -

Return to PowerPoint Part One: Review sheet, referring
presentation to compare results to class notes as needed.
to classical physics expectations
and tell students how the
eventual explanation for the
Photoelectric Effect helped lead
to the creation of modern physics
and some modern technologies.
Hand out Photoelectric Effect -
Part One: Review sheet and
allow students to work on for
remainder of class period.

Timing Part 2 Photoelectric Effect Simulator Data Collection

What the teacher does
10 min. Beginning of Lesson
Open and display PowerPoint
presentation and have students
take out Photoelectric Effect -
Part One: Review sheet from
previous lesson.
Go over answers and discuss.
What the student does
Check answers from
Photoelectric Effect - Part One:
Review sheet and participate in
discussion.

40 min. Activity and Formative Assessment Access PhET Photoelectric Effect

Tell students they will be simulator to collect data.
individually collecting data from Record requested data and
the computer simulation they answer questions on
used yesterday. Photoelectric Effect - Part Two:
Distribute Photoelectric Effect - Data Collection sheet.
Part Two: Data Collection sheets
to students and have students
access PhET Photoelectric Effect
simulator online (provide laptops
or tablets, if necessary).
Open PhET Photoelectric Effect
simulator and review its operation
 with students to assist in
completion of task.

10 min. End of Lesson/Wrap Up Participate in discussion based on

Once students have finished data simulator data collected.
collection, discuss trends and
significance of results.

Timing Part 3 Significance of Einsteins Photoelectric Effect Explanation

What the teacher does What the student does
10 min. Beginning of Lesson Provide important information
Open and display PowerPoint from data collection in previous
presentation and have students lesson to begin working towards
take out Photoelectric Effect - conclusions.
Part Two: Data Collection sheet
from previous lesson.
Use PowerPoint presentation
notes to gather information from
students based on data collection
and list important conclusions.

45 min. Activity and Formative Assessment Take notes as needed from

Use PowerPoint presentation PowerPoint presentation and
notes to present billiard ball discussion.
analogy and relate to Complete Photoelectric Effect -
Photoelectric Effect results. Part Three: Final Assessment
Use PowerPoint presentation sheet.
notes to explain Einsteins
explanation for Photoelectric
Effect and how his explanation is
consistent with the data collected
in previous lesson.
Play YouTube video
demonstrating correlation
between electron energy levels
and light color (wavelength).
Use PowerPoint presentation
notes to explain significance of
Einsteins findings to modern
physics, including the equivalence
of mass and energy found in the
formula E = mc and the theory of
quantum mechanics.
 Distribute Photoelectric Effect -
Part Three: Final Assessment and
allow students to complete.
5 min. End of Lesson/Wrap Up Discuss significant discoveries and
If any time remains, discuss ideas to emerge from Einsteins
significant discoveries and ideas explanation of Photoelectric
to emerge from Einsteins Effect.
explanation of Photoelectric
Effect.

Differentiation

Using a PowerPoint presentation (which can be read aloud by the teacher, as needed) for the
bulk of the information presented allows for both visual and auditory learners to process the
learning in the way best for them. The data collection lab component in Part Two could easily
be modified to be a partner activity, rather than individual, if deemed to be advantageous for
the students. Also, the data collection time in class allows the teacher to spend time with
individual students who may be struggling with some of the lesson components or with the
computer simulator. Another possible area for differentiation could be the data collection table
and graph on the final assessment. Select data points could be filled in advance to help certain
students get started in their data collection and graph axes and ranges could also be labeled
beforehand if deemed necessary.

Final Assessment

Students final assessment will consist of several interrelated tasks. First, students will respond
to an essay question requiring them to summarize Einsteins explanations for the Photoelectric
Effect as a means of evaluating the students understanding of the topic. Next, students will
create a series of data points collected from the PhET simulator to prove/disprove Einsteins
theory. Students will also be asked to articulate whether or not the data points they collected
support Einsteins theory. This activity requires students to thoughtfully reflect on what they
have learned about the Photoelectric Effect and apply this information to create and evaluate a
brief study on those results. Finally, students will respond to an essay question requiring them
to consider the impact that Einsteins theory on the Photoelectric Effect has had on modern
physics. Students are also asked to provide a brief explanation of quantum mechanics, allowing
a check for understanding from notes collected in Part Three of the lesson series.

Conclusion

This lesson series can provide students with a proper introduction to the theory of quantum
mechanics. The curriculum upon which this lesson series is based leaves very little room for
such an introduction, coming at the end of the course with only a matter of a few days allotted.
This makes it very important to not overwhelm students with information, but to keep
information focused on broader concepts, such as the basics of quantum theory and how
Einsteins explanation of the Photoelectric Effect led to this theory. The lesson series requires
knowledge from nearly every realm of the high school physics curriculum, including mechanics,
thermodynamics, and certainly wave properties. Student deficiencies in any of these categories
could hinder the ability to grasp the concepts presented. Also, the data collection port ion of the
 lesson series requires that students have individual access to a laptop computer, tablet, or
(perhaps) a smartphone. Lack of access to these resources would severely restrict this portion
of the lesson. However, this lesson series can certainly be beneficial to students as a course
conclusion, since it does touch on so many previously learned physics topics and requires the
student to apply these skills to gain a proper understanding of the very basics of quantum
mechanics. The content from the Space, Time, and Motion course was extremely beneficial in
the construction of this lesson series, particularly the essay The Quantum Revolution from
Week 4. The Space, Time, and Motion content also provided some great inspiration for tying in
modern technology (Applications: Einstein and Your CD Player from Week 4) to create a
greater sense of relevance for students with modern physics. In a course that allots a generou s
amount of time to modern physics, the resources from this course would be of great use.

References

College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley. Photoelectric Effect YouTube. 2012.

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcSYV8bJox8.
Khan Academy. Photoelectric Effect | Photons (article) | Khan Academy. 2017. Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/quantum-physics/photons/a/photoelectric-
effect.
Liu, Dr. Charles. SOS_2017_SP1_PS501_1: Applications: Einstein and Your CD Player. American
Museum of Natural History. 2017. Retrieved from
http://moodle.amnh.org/mod/page/view.php?id=11142.
Liu, Dr. Charles. SOS_2017_SP1_PS501_1: Concept: What is Energy? American Museum of
Natural History. 2017. Retrieved from http://moodle.amnh.org/mod/page/view.php?id=11153.
Liu, Dr. Charles. SOS_2017_SP1_PS501_1: The Quantum Revolution. American Museum of
Natural History. 2017. Retrieved from http://moodle.amnh.org/mod/page/view.php?id=11140.
Mastin, Luke. Quanta and Wave-Particle Duality Quantum Theory and the Uncertainty
Principle The Physics of the Universe. The Physics of the Universe. 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.physicsoftheuniverse.com/topics_quantum_quanta.html.
The Physics Classroom. Wavelike Behaviors of Light. 2016. Retrieved from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/light/Lesson-1/Wavelike-Behaviors-of-Light.
University of Colorado, Boulder. Photoelectric Effect Light | Quantum Mechanics | Photons
PhET Interactive Simulations. PhET Interactive Simulations. 2017. Retrieved from
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/photoelectric.