ERIC Number: EJ860281
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 5
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
Computer-Based Experiment for Determining Planck's Constant Using LEDs
Zhou, Feng; Cloninger, Todd
Physics Teacher, v46 n7 p413-415 Oct 2008
Visible light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been widely used as power indicators. However, after the power is switched off, it takes a while for the LED to go off. Many students were fascinated by this simple demonstration. In this paper, by making use of computer-based data acquisition and modeling, we show the voltage across the LED undergoing an exponential decay after the power is switched off. We also describe a new approach for determining Planck's constant using LEDs. The simple experiment can be used either in an interactive lecture demonstration or an entry-level physics lab.
Descriptors: Lecture Method, Demonstrations (Educational), Computer Software, Educational Technology, Data Analysis, Models, Physics, Science Education, Science Instruction, Science Activities, Science Laboratories, Scientific Concepts, Teaching Methods, Energy
American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://scitation.aip.org/tpt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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