Title : Determine The Ionization Potential Of Mercury

Abstract:
The experiment aimed at determination of ionization potential of mercury. The measurement is
made of ionic current (mercury ions) flowing in the anode circuit of a mercury tube-vapor lamp
as a function of the electrons accelerating voltage.We observe that with increase in potential,
current is also increases. We plot graph between potential (on x-axis) and current (on y-axis).

Introduction:
History:
This experiment performed by James Franck and Gustav Hertz in 1914 was aimed at verification
of the Bohr hypothesis on the quantum character of absorption and emission of energy by atoms.
Their experiment was cleverly designed to provide the unquestionable proof for the discrete
character of energy absorption by atoms, although the emission of mercury atoms was invisible.
For their experiment Franck and Hertz were awarded with the Nobel Prize in 1925.
Mercury ionization potential can be measured by adding mercury vapors in an evacuated tube
fitted with a cathode and anode at a low pressure of 10 mm to 50 mm of the mercury. The gas
diode cathode can be heated directly or indirectly.

Theory of Experiment:
Ionization energy:
lonization energy is the energy needed to remove electrons out of an atom or molecule. Large
atoms require low energy for ionization, however, small elements require high energy for
ionization. This amount was simply referred to as the potential for ionization, i.e. the energy
required to remove electrons from an atom and expressed in volt (V).
Factor effecting lonization energy:
lonization energy is affected by following factor:

 Effective nuclear charge

 Atomic size i.e Atomic radius
 Nature of orbitals
 Half-filled or completely filled orbitals.
 Working of ionization tube:

Working :
A small heater heats the filament which is put under the cathode plate. It glows and provide the
thermal heat to the cathode. As a result, cathode plate starts to eject electrons from their surface.
These electrons will approach the anode plate if we connect it with the positive terminal of the
battery. Initially, when the potential difference between the cathode and anode is small very few
electrons reach up to the plate. And very small current is observed.But slowly when increase the
potential difference in between the anode and cathode plate some more electrons attract towards
the anode plate. The current increases every time because a number of electrons attract towards
the anode plate.
By increasing the potential between the plates, the kinetic energy of emittedelectrons is also
increasing. At a certain amount of kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, it reaches that level
where they are capable to knockout the electron from mercury atoms.
Here, the ejected electrons from the mercury atom are known as secondary electrons. Now
secondary electrons are also contributed in the current along with the primary electrons.When a
sufficient voltage is applied all the electrons emitted from the cathode reach at the plate along,
with the secondary electrons. This is the reason that the current suddenly increases at a certain
applied voltage. That value of the applied voltage known as the ionization potential of mercury.
Applications:

 Ionization potential of materials like mercury helps in designing and developing electronic
devices, sensors, and semiconductor materials.

 It provides crucial information for optimizing the performance and efficiency of electronic
components.

 Mercury vapor lamps are used in various medical imaging techniques, such as fluorescence
microscopy and ultraviolet (UV) light therapy.

Apparatus:
 Gas filled (mercury vapors) diode.
 Power supply
 A voltmeter
 Millimeter
 Connecting wires

Diagram :
Procedure:
 Connect the circuit according to circuit diagram:
 Give it potential. That filament start glowing.

 Note value of current and potential gradually by the reading of volt meter and millimeter.
 Check the variation of current and voltage.
 Take no. of reading. Plot graph between voltage and current.
 Check error by comparing with standard value of ionization potential of mercury.
 Repeat experiment to reduce error.

Calculations and observations :

No. Voltage(v) Current(I)

1 1.25 1
2 1.75 2
3 3 2.5
4 3.75 3
5 5 4.5
6 7 6.5
7 7.5 7
8 8.25 8
9 9 9.5
Graph:
Conclusion:
Potential and current has direct relation by increasing voltage current increases and vice
versa.

Precaution:
 The connections should be proper before switching on the power supply.
 Milli ammeter and voltmeter used in the experiment should be very much sensitive.
 Graph must be plotted carefully
 Don't longer run the high potential into the mercury diode valve, otherwise it can burn.
 After finishing the experiment remember to switch off power supply.

References: