Please note that due to the availability of additional supplies, the workshop limit has been increased to 19.
GOAL: Construct devices that easily demonstrates the photoelectric effect and the determination of Planck's constant.
Workshop Leader: The workshop will be led by Mr. Bill Berner of UPENN, retired head of the UPENN Physics Lecture Hall Department. Mr. Berner has been involved with physics education for the past 45 years.
WHAT WILL YOU DO DURING THE WORKSHOP?
Participants will adapt a UV hand sanitizer to discharge a charged electroscope. Shining ultraviolet light on a negatively charged electroscope with a zinc plate will discharge the electroscope . Determine what factors will or will not discharge the electroscope, e.g., will shinning UV light through a glass filter result in the discharge of the electroscope? Participants will receive the following materials: a UV light source, large demo electroscope, zinc and glass plates as well as instructional techniques to use this device as a lab/demo activity.
Participants will also construct and learn how to do a “reverse photoelectric” determination of Planck’s constant by noting the turn-on voltage of LEDs and the wavelength of its light. Participants will receive LEDs, batteries and a multimeter as well as instructional techniques to use this device as a lab/demo activity.
Value of the equipment: about $70 per participant, which is funded by the Bauder Fund.
Cost: workshop fee for members is $10, which also includes morning refreshments.