Priyanshu Ranjan Gupta 15110089

To determine the excitation potential of an argon atom using Frank-Hertz tube.

Power supply, Frank-Hertz tube, cathode ray oscilloscope, digital voltmeter, digital ammeter.

Niels Bohr proposed that electrons revolved around the nucleus only in certain discrete quantized energy
states. A year later, in 1914, two scientists, namely James Frank and Gustav Hertz performed an experiment
which demonstrated the existence of electrons in the various energy levels.
The experiment involves a tube which containing argon gas at low pressure. It is fitted with three electrodes;
one electron emitting cathode, a mesh grid to control the motion of the electrons, and an anode. The anode is
kept at a slightly negative potential. This experiment exploits the inelastic scattering of electrons by gas atoms.
When the accelerating voltage increases, more and more electrons arrive at the anode and the current rises.
An atom is much heavier than an electron, therefore the collisions of electrons with gas atoms are almost
elastic in nature and the electrons bounce off in a direction different from its original one. When the
accelerating voltage equals the excitation potential of the gas atom, the energy of electrons is given
completely to the gas atoms and there is a sudden drop in the current. This drop is due to the inelastic
collisions between the accelerated electrons and the atomic electrons.

1. Place all the control knobs are at their minimum position. Set the current multiplier knob at the x10-7
position. Now turn ON the power.
2. Switch to manual setting and adjust the voltage parameters to the following values, Filament voltage =
mid position, VG1K = 1.5 V, VG2A = 7.5 V, VG2K = 0 V.
3. Gradually increase the VG2K potential in intervals of 2V. Note down the values of current and VG2K. The
current shall increase and decrease periodically.
4. The voltage difference between the two consecutive peaks gives the average excitation potential.
Accelerating Potential (VG2k) I. Current (x10-7 A)

0.5 0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0.12

10 0.82

12 1.51

14 1.85

16 2.02

18 1.99

20 1.54

22 1.31

24 1.75

26 2.39

28 2.74

30 2.46

32 1.52

34 1.22

36 2.33

38 3.32

40 3.61

42 2.99

44 1.44

46 1.34

48 2.75

50 4.01

52 4.28

54 3.47
 56 1.93

58 1.79

60 3.29

62 4.48

64 5

66 4.33

68 2.83

70 2.38

72 3.62

74 4.91

76 5.67

78 5.38

80 4.22

82 3.44

84 4.01

86 5.22

88 6.27

90 6.54

Current Vs Voltage
7

5
Current (x10-7A)

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
-1
Voltage

Figure 1: For Current I

 Points of maxima = A (16,2.02); B (28,2.46); C (40,3.61); D (52,4.28); E (64,5); F (76,5.67)

 Value of excitation potential =((B-A) + (C-B) + (D-C) + (E-D) + (F-E)) / 6
 = 12V

 The standard deviation from the above points = ((0+0+0+0+0)/6)1/2

= 0V

 The average Excitation Potential of the argon gas is = 12.00 ± 0V.

 Before taking the systematic readings, gradually increase the value of V G2K to maximum.