Franck-Hertz Experiment

Objective
To verify the existence of discrete atomic energy levels of Argon atom and determine the
minimum excitation energy of Argon.

Theory
Planck (1900) put forward the idea of quantization of energy while solving a long
standing problem of the black body radiation. He proposed that the exchange of the energy
between the radiation and the matter is discrete rather than continuous. This hypothesis fueled to
look for a modification in the understandings of classical physics which only deals with the
continuous exchange of energy. In 1905, Einstein solved the photoelectric effect problem
assuming the quantization of the light. Inspired from the success of Planck’s hypothesis and
Einstein’s theory, Bohr proposed the quantization theory in describing the spectrum of hydrogen
atom. According to Bohr’s assumptions, the electron in an atom revolves around the nucleus in a
circular orbit under the influence of the electrostatic attraction of the nucleus placed at the centre
of the orbit. Also, the electron is allowed to move in a certain set of orbits called as stationary
states with discrete energy values.
The energy of an atom takes only discrete values and at room temperature, most atoms
are in the ground state. An atom jumps to higher level by absorbing energy in many different
ways, for example interaction with electromagnetic radiation or collisions with other
particles like electrons. In 1914, Frank and Hertz verified that the atoms absorb energy only in
discrete values by bombarding atoms with low energy electrons. In this experiment, applying
electric field accelerates electrons. If electrons have sufficient kinetic energy to excite
atoms to the first excited state, then the collisions are inelastic. Otherwise, the collisions are
elastic and the electrons do not lose kinetic energy (atoms are heavy). The schematic diagram of
Frank-Hertz tube is shown in Fig. 1. The tube is filled with a gas of atoms under consideration
(Argon). The electrons emitted by the cathode K are accelerated through potential VG2K. The
grid G1 helps in minimizing the space charge effects. The plate A is at a potential slightly
negative with respect to G2. This helps in making the dips in the plate current more prominent.
 Figure 1: Schematic diagram of Frank-Hertz experiment

Figure 2: Plot of anode current versus accelerating voltage VG2K

As we increase VG2K, the current through plate A increases. When the electron energies
are just sufficient to excite atoms, they lose kinetic energy and cannot reach the anode, resulting
in a dip in the anode current. The elastic collisions occur near G2. If we increase VG2K further the
current increases until the potential is such that an electron undergoes two collisions inelastic
with the atoms. This results in the second dip in the anode current. The anode current versus
VG2K graph is shown in the Fig. 2. The voltage difference between two successive peaks of
anode current gives the excitation energy of the atom. You have been provided with a Frank-
Hertz tube filled with inert gas Argon. You have to find the energy of an excited state. Table of
first few levels is given below (Table 1). Try to determine transitions that are possible in electron
Argon collision process.

Table 1: Energy levels of inert gas Argon

Typical operating parameters are :

Filament voltage : 2.6 V (minimum position)
VG1K : 1.5 V
VG2A : 7.5 V
VG2K : 0-80 V
Current Multiplier : 10-7

Precautions

1. Whenever you want to change any setting (including turning power ON/OFF switch),
make sure VG2K is set to zero (minimum position).
2. If heating filament voltage is changed, allow 2-3 minutes before making any observation.
3. During the experiment, if voltage VG2K is over 60V, pay attention to the ammeter. If the
current rises suddenly, decrease voltage at once.

Experimental Procedure

1. Before the power is switched ‘ON’ make sure all the control knobs are at their minimum
position and Current Multiplier knob at 10-7 position.
2. Switch on the Manual-Auto Switch to Manual, and check that the Scanning Voltage Knob
is at its minimum position.
3. Turn the Voltage Display selector to VG1K and adjust the VG1K Knob until voltmeter reads
1.5 V.
4. Turn the voltage Display selector to VG2A and adjust the VG2A Knob until the voltmeter
read 7.5 V.
5. Before proceeding to the next step check that the initial parameters are
Filament Voltage: 2.6V (minimum position)
VG1K : 1.5 V; VG2A: 7.5V; VG2K : 0V; Current Amplifier: 10-7

6. Rotate VG2K knob and observe the variation of plate current with the increase of VG2K . The
current reading should show maxima and minima periodically. The magnitude of maxima could
be adjusted suitably by adjusting the filament voltage and the value of current multiplier.

7. Now take the systematic readings, Vary the accelerating potential (VG2K) and record the anode
current I. For better resolution and observation of the maxima / minima VG2K is varied from 0-
80 V in the increments of 0.1 V or 0.01 V. Increments of 0.1 will be used for the data set away
from the peak or the dip. The interval 0.01V may be chosen to finer the observation near maxima
or minima.
8. Plot the graph with output current on Y- axis and Accelerating Voltage VG2K at X-axis and
determine the first excitation energy.