Question

Photoelectric Effect

Suppose that the time delay is too short to detect in the conditions you initially pick. How could you change the conditions in order to make it longer, and possibly detectable?

Answer 1

If there is delay between the time when the light is allowed to hit the cathode and the time when electrons begin to be ejected. If so, then we lack even a rough a priori estimate of this time. Investigate this. If the time seems to be extremely short, do what you planned in the prelab to try to make it long enough to detect. If the time is much too long, do the opposite so that you can actually observe the photoelectric effect. If you’re able to get the time delay into a range where it’s measurable using eyeballs and a clock, do so. If not, then try to set an upper or lower limit on it.