The following information relates to a Franck-Hertz Experiment with the graphs s

Question

The following information relates to a Franck-Hertz Experiment with the graphs shwoing the first excitatoin potential of the atom.

Graph 3 represents when electrons have exactly the same energy to excite and atom to its first excited state. Graph 4 shows when not all electrons have the required energy to got to the first excited state.

Question 1: Why does the graph 3 not drop all the way down to zero for the excitation potential spot?

Question 2: Why does the graph 4 not drop all the way down to zero for the excitation potential spot?

Explanation / Answer

1) in this case, even though when the electron is going to lose all its energy to excite the atom. But the current does not fall to zero as not all electrons might have suffered from inelastic collisons. Some electrons might not have suffered any collision at all and thus are able to reach the detector.

2) in this case, only few electrons lose their kinetic energy. The rest suffer elastic collisions and reach the detector.

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