Chapter 14, Problem 7E

In this chapter, we have learned about the photoelectric effect and its impact on the formulation of light as photons. We have also seen that some anomalous electron configurations of the elements are particularly favorable if each atom has one or more half-filled shell, such as the case for the Cr atom with its [Ar]4s¹3d 5 electron configuration. Let's
suppose it is hypothesized that it requires more energy to remove an electron from a metal that has atoms with one or more half-filled shells than from those that do not.

1. Design a series of experiments involving the photoelectric effect that would test the hypothesis.
2. What experimental apparatus would be needed to test the hypothesis? Its not necessary that you name actual equipment but rather that you imagine how the apparatus would work-think in terms of the types of measurements that would be needed, and what capability you would need in your apparatus.
3. Describe the type of data you would collect and how you would analyze the data to see whether the hypothesis were correct.
4. Could your experiments be extended to test the hypothesis for other parts of the periodic table, such as the lanthanide or actinide elements?