LEAI-30 Franck-Hertz Experiment

Basic Model
Instruction Manual

Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc

14055 SW 142nd Avenue, Suite 22, Miami, FL 33186, USA
Phone: (305) 252-3838; Fax: (305) 517-3739
E-mail: sales@lambdasys.com; Web: www.lambdasys.com

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COMPANY PROFILE
Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc. specializes in developing and marketing scientific instruments
and laboratory apparatus that are designed and manufactured specifically for experimental
education in physics at colleges and universities.

We supply high-quality, reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable scientific instruments and

laboratory apparatus to college educators and students for their teaching and learning of both
fundamental and

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comprehensive instruction materials. Our products cover an extensive range of physics

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Our spectroscopic instruments cover various general-purpose spectrometers/ spectrophotometers such as UV/Vis spectrophotometers, laser Raman spectrometer, dual-beam IR
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CONTENTS

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................1
2. Specifications .........................................................................................................................1
3. Operating principle .................................................................................................................1
4. Operating Instruction ..............................................................................................................3
5. Points for attention .................................................................................................................4

1.

Introduction

This LEAI-30 FranckHertz experiment instrument works through exciting the atom from low
energy level to high energy level by means of colliding slow electron with atom of rarefied
gas. By measuring the energy exchanged in collision, the existence of atomic energy level,
presented by Bohr, can be proved directly.
This instrument can not only plot spectrum amplitude curve by means of point measurement,
but also directly observe the spectrum amplitude curve on the luminescent screen of a universal
oscilloscope. So this instrument can be either used for experiment operated by group, or for
demonstrating experiment. It is an ideal teaching apparatus for physics laboratories in colleges
and universities.
2. Specifications
1) Voltage supplied to Franck Hertz tube
U G1K
UG2A(rejecting voltage)
UG2K point measure `
Observe sawtooth wave on oscilloscope
UH(filament voltage)
2) Parameters of sawtooth wave
Scanning voltage
Scanning frequency
Voltage amplitude of scanning output
3) Weakcurrent measuring range
4) Observable number of spectrum amplitude
Point measuring
Observe on universal oscilloscope
5) Operating condition
Ambient temperature
Relative humidity
Operating power
Preheating time
Continuous operating time
Rated input power
Dimensions

1.3 ~ 5V
1.3 ~ 15V
0 ~ 100V
1 ~ 50V (max 75V)
AC: 3V, 3.5V, 4V, 4.5V, 5V, 5.5V, 6.3V
0 ~ 50V (max 75V)
115 Hz 20 Hz
1V
10-9 ~ 10-6 A (4 scales)
5
2
-10 ~ 40 0C
85% (40 0C)
AC 220V or AC 110V (specified)
5min
8 hours
15W
400 x 230 x 130 mm

Attention: To avoid damage during transportation, the Franck-Hertz tube was dismounted and
placed in the tube housing. Prior to operation, the F-H tube must be installed firstly. Refer to
Figure 3 below, open the F-H tube installation window, take out the foams and the tube
carefully, plug the tube into the socket on the housing wall and cover the window.
3. Operating principle
The FranckHertz tube in this instrument is an electron tube filled with argon. Figure 1 shows
the symbols of all electrodes and the voltages on them.

Figure 1.
A voltage of about 4.5V is added between the first grid (G1) and the cathode (K) to eliminate
the effect of spatial charge on cathode scattering electrons.
When the filament is heating the cathode, the electrons emitted by the cathode are accelerated
in the electric field between the second grid (G2) and the cathode, obtaining more and more
energy. At the beginning, because of applying low voltage between the second grid and
cathode, the electron energy is low. Thus the energy exchanged is little even if they collide
with the atom. So the plate current IA formed by electrons penetrating the second grid will
increase with the increase of UG2K.

Figure 2
When UG2k reaches the first excitation potential of argon atom, electrons collide with argon
atoms near the second grid (it is a non-elastic collision), and transfer total energy obtained in
the accelerating field to argon atoms and excite them from ground state to the first excitation
state. But electrons themselves, transferring all energy to argon atoms, cant overcome the
reverse exclusion field, are drawn back to the second grid even if some of them penetrated the
second grid. So the plate current IA decreased obviously. Then, with the increase of UG2k, the
electron energy increased too, there will be enough energy left after the collision with argon
atom. Thus they can overcome the reverse exclusion field and reach plate A. And at this time
current IA begins to increase again, until UG2K is 2 times the voltage of argon atoms first

excitation potential when electrons between G2 and K lost energy again because of the second
non-elastic collision causing the second decrease of plate current IA.
Making UG2K the horizontal coordinate and IA the vertical coordinate, we can plot the spectrum
amplitude curve, the voltage difference between two consecutive valley points (or peak points)
is the first excitation potential of argon atom. This experiment illustrates the fact that the slow
electrons in Franck-Hertz tube collide with argon atoms, excite the atoms from low energy
level to high energy level. By measuring the argons first excitation potential (known as a
constant of 11.55 V, that means the energy absorbed and transmitted is discrete), we can
demonstrate the existence of Bohr atomic level.
4. Operating Instruction

Figure 3. Instrument schematic

1. Current meter, 2. Voltmeter, 3. Manual-Auto switch, 4. Scan knob, 5. Filament voltage selector,
6. Current multiple selector, 7. Voltage stepper (1.3~ 5V UG2K, 1.3 ~ 15V UG2A, 0~ 100V
UG2K), 8. 1.3 ~ 5V adjust knob (UG2K), 9. 1.3 ~ 15V adjust knob (UG2A), 10. 0 ~ 100V adjust knob
(UG2K), 11. Indicator, 12. Power switch, 13. Y-output terminal, 14. Ground, 15. X-output terminal,
16. Power wire, 17. Franck-Hertz tube installation window.

Referring to Figure 3:
1) For the first time use of the instrument, do not connect the power cord to power supply,
unscrew the cover of the Franck-hertz tube installation window, insert the Franck-Hertz
tube into the lamp socket, screw back the cover.
2) Turn the four voltage adjust knobs (4, 8, 9 and 10 in Figure 3) anti-clockwise to
minimum.
3) Plug power cord to power supply. Turn on the power, preheat for 5 minutes.
4) Turn the Manual-Auto switch to Manual, rotate the Scan knob anti-clockwise to
end, turn Filament Voltage selector to 4.5V, Current Multiple selector to 10-8.
5) Turn Voltage Stepper to 1.3 ~ 5V, rotate 1.3 ~ 5V adjust knob until the voltmeter
reads 2.5V, that is UG1k=2.5V.
6) Turn Voltage Stepper to 1.3 ~ 15V, rotate 1.3 ~ 15V adjust knob until the voltmeter
reads 13.5V, that is UG2A=13.5V (rejecting voltage).

7) Turn Voltage Stepper to 0 ~ 100V, rotate 0 ~ 100V adjust knob until the voltmeter
reads 0V, that is UG2K=0V (accelerating voltage).
When you have finished step 4 7, you are ready to do the experiment. In Manual
mode, we suggest UH=4.5V (Filament voltage) UG1K=2.5V (the voltage between the
first grid and cathode), UG2A=13.5V (the voltage between the second grid and anode).
8) Rotate 0 ~100V adjust knob, and at mean time observe the readings of the current
meter and the voltmeter, with the increase of UG2K (accelerating voltage), current
meters reading appears peak and valley periodically. Record the corresponding voltage
and current, make the output current the vertical coordinate, UG2K the horizontal
ordinate, plot the spectrum amplitude curve.
Note: During the process of increasing UG2K, when it is over 60V, please pay
attention to the output current indicator. If the current meters reading increases
suddenly, decrease the voltage immediately to avoid the damage to the tube.
9) Turn Manual-Auto switch to Auto, connect the instruments Y, ground, X socket to
Y, ground, X of an oscilloscope. Put the scanning range switch of oscilloscope to
external X, Switch on the power of oscilloscope, adjust the Y and X shift to make the
scan base-line on the bottom of its screen, adjust X gain to make scan base-line 10
grids. Rotate scan knob of this instrument, observe the waveform on the oscilloscopes
screen. Adjust the Y gain and X gain of the oscilloscopes attenuation to make the
waveform clear and Y amplitude moderate. Rotate scan knob clockwise to end, then the
maximum scan voltage is 75 V, measure the horizontal distance of two consecutive
peaks (count the grids), and multiply it by 7.5V/grid, that is the value of argon atoms
first excitation potential.
5. Points for attention
1) During the experiment (manual), when the voltage is over 60V, please pay attention to
the output current indicator. If the current meters reading increases suddenly, decrease
the voltage immediately to avoid the damage to the tube.
2) If you want to change the value of UG1K, UG2A and UH during the experiment, please
first rotate the 0 ~ 100V adjust knob count-clockwise to end, then make the changes.
3) The filament voltage of this instrument is 3V, 3.5V, 4V, 4.5V, 5V, 5.5V, 6.3V. You can
do the experiment with different filament voltages. If occurring waveform top cut, it
means the anode output current is too strong and causes the amplifier to distort, in this
case the filament voltage should be decreased.

Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc will take no liability for any injury or damage that may be caused by improper
handling and/or incorrect operation of this apparatus. Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy and/or the suitability of the information provided in this manual.