Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.21796/jse.2020.44.1.112

How Modern Physics Textbooks Explain Intensity of Light in Photoelectric Effect  

Kim, Eunsun (Seoul National University)
Kim, Hongbin (Seoul National University)
Lee, Jongbong (Seoul National University)
Lee, Gyoungho (Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Science Education / v.44, no.1, 2020 , pp. 112-121 More about this Journal
Abstract
The photoelectric effect is a representative phenomenon explaining the particle nature of light and is an important theme that led to the transition from classical physics to modern physics. Although the secondary school curriculum deals with the photoelectric effect, teachers and students are often confused with terms because the explanation of the 'light intensity' is different from that of electromagnetic waves. Hence, this study examines how modern physics textbooks explain the intensity of light through photon model. We analyzed the photoelectric effect unit of 10 modern physics textbooks. Results show that there are two different types of representation on 'light intensity.' Especially those two different types were found even within a textbook. Modern physics textbooks do not seem to provide a unified presentation of the light and cautions to describe the photoelectric effect and its interpretation are suggested for teaching light intensity in modern physics.
Keywords
photoelectric effect; intensity of light; modern physics textbook;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Beiser, A. (2003). Concepts of Modern Physics (6th ed.). New york: McGraw-Hill.
2 Bernstein, J., Fishbane, P. M. & Gasiorowicz, S. G. (2000). Modern Physics. Upper Saddler River, NJ: Prentice Hill.
3 Bonzel, H. P. & Kleint, C. (1995). On the history of photoemission. Progress in surface science, 49(2), 107-153.   DOI
4 Cheong, Y. W. & Song, J. W. (2011). Analysis of Textbooks' Expressions about Waveparticle Duality. Sae Mulli, 61(5), 479-488.   DOI
5 Einstein, A. (1905). Uber einen die Erzeugung und Verwandlung des Lichtes betreffenden heuristischen Gesichtspunkt. Annalen der Physik, 322(6), 132-148.   DOI
6 Griffiths, D. J. (2013). Introduction to Electrodynamics (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
7 Harris, R. (2008). Modern Physics (2nd ed.). San Fransisco, CA: Pearson.
8 Kidd, R., Ardini, J., & Anton, A. (1989). Evolution of the modern photon. American Journal of Physics, 57(1), 27-35.   DOI
9 Klassen, S. (2011). The Photoelectric Effect: Reconstructing the Story for the Physics Classroom. Sci & Educ 20, 719-731.   DOI
10 Krane, K. S. (2012). Modern Physics (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
11 Lamb, W. E. & Scully, M. O. (1969). The Photoelectric Effect Without Photons. In Polarization, Matiere et Rayonnement, Volume in Honour of A. Kastler. Paris, France: Presses Universitaires de France
12 McKagan. S. B., Handley, W. Perkins, K. K, & Wieman, C. E. (2009). A Research-Based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect. American Journal of Physics 77(1), 87-94.   DOI
13 Niaz, M., Klassen, S., McMillan, B. & Metz, D. (2010). Reconstruction of the History of the Photoelectric Effect and Its Implications for General Physics Textbooks. Science Education 94(5), 903-931.   DOI
14 Serway, R. A., Moses, C. J, & Moyer, C. A. (2005). Modern Physics (3rd ed.). Belmont: Thompson Learning.
15 Stanley, R. Q. (1996). Question #45. What (if anything) does the photoelectric effect teach us? American Journal of Physics, 64(7), 839.   DOI
16 Taylor, J. R., Zafiratos, C. D. & Dubson M. A. (2004). Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers (2nd ed.). Upper Sadller River, NJ: Addison-Wesley.
17 Thornton, S. T. & Rex, A. (2013). Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4th ed.). Boson, MA: Cengage Learning.
18 Tipler, P. A. & Llewellyn, R. A. (2012). Modern Physics (6th ed.). New york, NY: Freeman and Company.
19 Walecka, J. D. (2008). Introduction to Modern Physics: Theoretical Foundations. Singapore: World Scientific.
20 Weidner, R. T. & Sells, R. L. (1980). Elementary Modern Physics (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
21 Young, H. D. & Freedman, R. A. (2012). University Physics (13th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson.
22 Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
23 Ha, H. J. & Sohn, S. H. (2018). Characteristics of the Photocurrent Limited by the Space Charge. Sae Mulli, 68(4), 459-466.   DOI