How will the current in a wire change as the wavelength of light changes?
I have no idea how to do this.
To determine how the current in a wire changes as the wavelength of light changes, we need to understand the basic principle of the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect refers to the phenomenon where electrons are emitted from a material when light shines on it.
In order to investigate this effect, you can set up an experiment where you have a wire connected to a battery, forming a complete electric circuit. On the wire, you place a material with a photoactive surface, such as a metal plate or a semiconductor.
Next, you expose the photoactive material to a source of light of different wavelengths. Gradually change the wavelength of the light source while keeping the intensity of the light constant. Now, observe and measure the current flowing through the wire using an ammeter.
By varying the wavelength and measuring the corresponding current, you will be able to determine the relationship between them. In general, the photoelectric effect demonstrates that the current increases when the wavelength of light decreases (i.e., as the frequency of light increases). This is because higher frequency light carries more energy, which can liberate more electrons, resulting in an increased current.
It's important to note that there may be other factors influencing the observed current, such as the intensity and polarization of light, as well as the characteristics of the photoactive material being used. Therefore, it's essential to carefully design and control the experiment to isolate the relationship between current and wavelength of light.
Remember, experimentation is key to understanding the relationship between current and the wavelength of light, so don't hesitate to perform the experiment yourself to gain a hands-on understanding of this concept.