The Photoelectric Effect: CAI in the Laboratory Recently, we have heen developing computer-generated freshman laboratory experiments for use in situations where the necessary experimental equipment was not available. Earlier, we reported a computer-generated Rutherford scattering experiment.' Now, we have developed a photoelectric effect experiment along similar lines. In the photoelectric effect experiment, when the student calls up the program, the program explains the experiment, selects a metal far the experiment, and draws a diagram of the apparatus. The student selects wavelengths of light with which the metal is t o he irradiated and the program prints out the energy of emitted electrons. A plot of these electron energies versus energy of incident light leads the student to the work function of the irradiated metal and that metal's identity. This experiment along with the Rutherford scattering experiment make up the structure experiment in our first quarter freshman chemistry laboratow. The computer system used is a CDC 6400. The program is written in Fortran IV. Output can be handled by a standard line printer. A listing of the program is available on request.
J. R. Garbarino and M. A. Wartell, J. Chem. Ed. 50,792 (1973) Metropolitan State College Denver. Colorado
484
/
Journal of Chemical Educafion
J. R. Garharino M. A. Wartell
