Modern Physics 2
Modern Physics 2
• The classical electromagnetic theory fails to account for the experimental results.
• Classically, if the intensity of radiation increases, the emitted electrons should have
more energy. However, the energy of the electrons were independent of the
intensity of incident em-radiation
Photoelectric effect
Explanation:
• In 1905, Einstein applied the quantum theory introduced by Plank (1902) to explain
the emission of black body radiation – quantization of energy of em-radiation into
‘packets of energy’ or photons.
• Some work is needed to free the electrons from the atomic bondage.
• The energy the electron receives from the photon is partially used in overcoming
this bondage and the excess energy appears as its kinetic energy.
1 2
ℎ𝜗 = 𝑚𝑣 + 𝑒∅ Eq (1)
2
• Where, 𝑒∅ is the energy with which the electrons are bound inside the metal
surface.
• In other words, it is minimum amount of energy required by the electrons to
escape the metal surface.
• Here, ∅ is called the work function.
Photoelectric effect
1 2+
ℎ𝜗 = 2
𝑚𝑣 𝑒∅
• ∅ is a constant for a given metal (From experimental results). Hence, the maximum
K.E. of the photo-electrons is proportional to the frequency (𝜗) of the incident light
• If the frequency (𝜗) of the incident light be gradually reduced, K.E. of the electrons
emerging from the surface of the metal will also reduce and finally become zero.
1
• At this frequency, the emerging electron will have no K.E. ( 𝑚𝑣 2 = 0). Hence, there
2
is no photocurrent
• Below this frequency, photo-emission is not possible – Quantum theory supports the
existence of a threshold frequency for each metal (ℎ𝜗 < 𝑒∅)
Photoelectric effect
Suppose ℎ𝜗 > 𝑒∅
ℎ𝜗 = 𝑒Vs+ 𝑒∅
ℎ𝜗 ℎ
Vs = –∅ Slope of the graph of Vs vs 𝜗, 𝑚 =
𝑒
𝑒
Determination of Plank’s constant
Photoelectric effect:
• Louis de Broglie proposed the wave equation of matter in his PhD thesis
(1924) – Nobel in 1929
De Broglie waves
Energy of an electromagnetic radiation 𝐸 = ℎ𝜈
Hence, ℎ𝜈 = 𝑚𝑐2
Since particles do not travel with velocity ‘𝑐’, de Broglie replaced it with ‘𝑢’
(such that 𝑢 < 𝑐)
ℎ𝑢
Therefore, ℎ𝜈 = 𝑚𝑢2 Now, λ
= 𝑚𝑢2
ℎ𝑢
λ= 𝑚𝑢2
De Broglie wavelength: Relationship
ℎ between mass and wavelength (matter
λ=
𝑚𝑢 having wave-like properties)
De Broglie waves
ℎ 1 Smaller the mass, larger the
λ= 𝑚𝑢
implies λα 𝑚 wavelength of the matter waves
ℎ
Hence: λ =
𝑝
• The matter waves are neither mechanical or em waves. Its nature is different
and only associated with a moving particle
De Broglie wavelength of an electron
Let an electron with rest mass 𝑚𝑜 be accelerated by a potential 𝑉. If 𝑣 is the
speed of the electron then:
1
2
𝑚𝑜 𝑣 2 = 𝑒𝑉
ℎ ℎ ℎ
The de Broglie wavelength: λ = = =
𝑚𝑜 𝑣 2𝑒𝑉 2𝑒𝑉𝑚𝑜
𝑚𝑜
𝑚𝑜
If 𝑉 = 100 V
6.65 × 10−34
λ= = 1.226 𝐴ሶ
2 ×1.6×10−19 × 9.11×10−31 ×100
Although, de Broglie came up with the hypothesis, he had no actual experimental proof.
De Broglie wavelength and Bohr Atomic Model
Bohr atomic model: discrete orbits whose orbital angular momentum is equal to the
integral multiple of h/2π:
• De Broglie suggested that electron moving around the nucleus should also be
accompanied by its matter wave
• This matter wave goes round and round, similar to standing waves
2𝜋𝑚𝑣𝑟
Or 𝑛=
ℎ
• In 1926, Davisson listened to a lecture in Oxford by Max Born. He was surprised to see
that his diffraction pattern was used to explain some aspect of Quantum Mechanics
Proof of De Broglie hypothesis – Davisson and Germer experiment
He modified his experiment and found:
At 𝜑 = 50o
V = 54 V
K.E. of electrons = 54 eV
For n= 1 at 𝜑 = 50o , diffraction pattern was obtained giving the interplanar spacing if the
Nickel crystal as 0.091 nm
Hence, it was proved that just like X-rays (em-waves), electrons can also fulfil the
Bragg’s Law to produce diffraction patterns – Hence matter can behave like waves