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Determination of Planck's Constant
Determination of Planck's Constant
2019 - 2020
Read the manual, draw a schematic diagram of the experimental setup and answer the
following items:
Objectives
Introduction
Max Planck, a pioneer in the field of quantum mechanics, developed the concept of a
fundamental unit of energy, a quantum, to explain the spectral distribution of blackbody
radiation in 1900. Planck proposed that atoms absorb and emit radiation in discrete
quantities given by the equation
E = hf (1)
where E is the energy of the quantum, f is the frequency of light vibration, and h is the
Planck’s constant equal to 4.135 × 10−15 eV · s.
In this experiment, the value of Planck’s constant will be determined by finding the
turn-on voltage of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Theory
If the LED is connected to a voltage source and the voltage is sufficiently high to give
the electrons enough energy to overcome the electric field in the depletion zone, then
the electrons can flow from the n-type to the p-type material and recombine with the
holes, as seen in Figure 1. During recombination, electrons go from a higher energy level
– the conduction band to a lower energy level – the valence band. Light will then be
emitted, with the band gap, which is difference between the conduction band and the
valence band, equal to the energy of the emitted light. The minimum voltage needed for
the electron and hole to recombine is called the turn-on voltage.
The emitted photon has energy equal to the product of the electron charge e and the
LED’s turn-on voltage V0 , given by the equation
E = eV0 (2)
hc
E = hf = = eV0 (3)
λ
The equation above allows us to compute for the Planck’s constant using the frequency
of the emitted photon and the LED’s turn-on voltage.
Materials
• PCB circuit
• Ammeter
• Voltmeter
• Connectors
• Plotting tool
Procedure
CAUTION:
• Make sure that the voltage provided by the power supply is set to minimum before
switching it on.
Set-up
1. Set-up the circuit as shown in Figure 2 for the LED in the provided PCB circuit.
Figure 2: Circuit
2. The ammeter is connected in series with the LED while the voltmeter is connected
in parallel. Connect the longer leg of the LED to the positive terminal of the power
supply and the other leg to the negative terminal of the power supply.
3. Have your Instructor check your circuit before plugging in the power supply.
IV-curve
1. Turn on the power supply and increase the voltage slowly by turning its knob
clockwise. Record the current and voltage readings in Table W1. Take a minimum
of 2 current-voltage readings before the LED lights up and a minimum of five 5
current-voltage readings after it eventually lights up. Do not exceed 4 V.
2. Sketch the current vs. voltage graph of the red LED in Figure W1. Mark in your
graph the turn-on voltage by drawing a line from the maximum to the minimum
current reading when the LED lights up as shown in Figure 3.
2. For the instances when the LED is on, find the equation of the best-fit line for each
IV-curve by plotting in a spreadsheet program. With the slope and y-intercept,
calculate the turn-on voltage by finding the x-intercept of the graph. Record your
answers in Table W6.
2. Compare the experimental Planck’s constant with the textbook value indicated in
Table W7.
2. Study the turn-on voltage of the system of LEDs in series and/or parallel.
Bibliography
[1] Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. University Physics with
Modern Physics, Chapter 38. Addison Wesley, 12th edition, 2007.
Data Sheet
Table W1: Measured Data for Red LED Table W2: Measured Data for Orange LED
Table W3: Measured Data for Green LED Table W4: Measured Data for Blue LED
slope
y-intercept
hexpt
htheo 4.135 × 10−15 eV · s
% Error
Questions
1. Can you use the light from a small incandescent or fluorescent light bulb instead of
an LED in this experiment? Justify your answer.
2. Which of the following LED material is applicable for providing green light source
and what is the exact wavelength emitted by the desired material?
3. What is the turn-on voltage of a green LED that produces a 530 nm-light? Show
your calculation.