Franck-Hertz experiment with a Hg-tube

Article no. P2510311 | Type: Experiments

10 Minutes

University

heavy

Students

Principle

Electrons are accelerated in a tube filled with mercury vapour. The excitation energy of mercury is determined from the distance between the equidistant minima of the electron current in a variable opposing electric field.

Benefits

Experience the essence of the Nobel Price: Franck, Hertz (1925)
Classical Version with Mercury (Hg)
One operating unit for 2 experiments (Hg, Ne)
Precise determination of electron excitation energy of Hg
Direct connection to computer, no extra interface necessary

Tasks

To record the countercurrent strength Ι in a Franck-Hertz tube as a function of the anode voltage U.
To determine the excitation energy E from the positions of the current strength minima or maxima by difference formation.

Learning objectives