Franck-Hertz Calculator

Analyze Franck-Hertz experiment parameters and atomic excitation

About the Franck-Hertz Experiment

The Franck-Hertz experiment (1914) provided evidence for quantized atomic energy levels. Electrons accelerated through a gas can only excite atoms when they have sufficient energy, leading to periodic dips in current.

Key Concepts:

  • Inelastic collisions occur at E = n × E₀
  • Current minima at peak voltages
  • Emitted photon: λ = hc/E₀
  • Nobel Prize in Physics 1925

Typical Elements:

  • Mercury: 4.9 eV (classic demonstration)
  • Neon: 18.7 eV (visible orange glow)
  • Argon: 11.6 eV