Username:
   
Password:

I forgot my username or password.

In support of all the students who are displaced from school due to the Corona virus. Access to physics zone and chemistry zone lessons are now available free of charge. This will be maintained at least through August 1st 2020. Learn and be well.

Physics Lessons Review Links Solutions Physics Shop

Photoelectric Effect Apparatus

The simple version of the Photoelectric equipment was nothing more than a metal plate attached to a positively charge electroscope.  When light was shined upon the plate, the electroscope discharged.

In order to make better measurements, a new apparatus was created.  Apparatus for the Photoelectric effect As light strikes the target (gold color) it might emit electrons which are called photoelectrons.  If photoelectrons are emitted from the target they will strike the collector (black post) and pass through the ammeter, registering a current, and then on to the positive side of the battery.   A higher current on the Ammeter indicates that more photoelectrons are being emitted from the target.

By adjusting the voltage and polarity of the battery, it is actually possible to make the collector push photoelectrons away from it.  This gives us a way to measure the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons.