Overview

This collection documents 10 experiments from the Physics Lab IV course at Sharif University of Technology. Each experiment traces the historical development of quantum mechanics — from the particle nature of light to wave-particle duality and semiconductor physics.

All reports include raw data extraction, Python-based statistical error propagation, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, and professionally typeset LaTeX.

Experiments

Hall Effect — Semiconductor Physics

The Hall effect demonstrates charge carrier quantization in solids. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to a current-carrying conductor, a transverse voltage develops:

$V_H = \frac{IB}{nqt}$

where $I$ is the current, $B$ the magnetic field, $n$ the carrier density, $q$ the elementary charge, and $t$ the sample thickness.

Franck-Hertz Experiment

First direct evidence for atomic energy quantization (1914). Electrons accelerated through mercury vapor lose energy in discrete packets corresponding to the excitation energy of mercury atoms:

$\Delta E = eV_{excitation} \approx 4.9 \text{ eV}$

Photoelectric Effect

Einstein's photon hypothesis (1905). The stopping voltage is linearly related to the frequency of incident light:

$eV_s = h\nu - \phi$

where $\phi$ is the work function of the cathode material.

Rydberg Constant

Hydrogen emission spectrum validates the Bohr model. The Balmer series wavelengths satisfy:

$\frac{1}{\lambda} = R_H \left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{n^2} \right), \quad n = 3, 4, 5, \ldots$

Electron Diffraction

Wave-particle duality confirmed via de Broglie hypothesis (1924). The electron wavelength relates to momentum:

$\lambda = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2m_e e V}}$

Black Body Radiation

The birth of quantum mechanics. Stefan-Boltzmann law gives total radiated power:

$P = \sigma A T^4$

where $\sigma = 5.67 \times 10^{-8} \, \text{W m}^{-2} \text{K}^{-4}$.

Tech Stack

• Python: Statistical analysis, error propagation, OLS regression
• LaTeX: Professional academic report typesetting
• Matplotlib/Numpy: Data visualization and numerical computation