2010-Franck-Hertz Experiment

From McGill University Physics Department Technical Services Wiki

We investigate the character of energy states in mercury atoms by accelerating electrons through mercury vapour in a heated vacuum tube. Electrons are ejected from a cathode through the vapour, and those reaching an anode are measured as a current. Periodic dips in this current as a function of an applied accelerating potential suggest the quantization of atomic energy states. Measurements are taken at different temperatures, and the different results are discussed.