The results of an experimental project for contemporary and modern physics education will be exposed. The main goals were the design, building-up, and operation of a Hg vapor lamp for teaching and didactic demonstrations. Questions related to the use of the equipment by following safety standards will be detailed. A particular emphasis will be given to the methodological discussion for applications of the lamp to the introduction of the photo-electric effect and other topics within the scope of modern physics.
modern physics; photoelectric effect; experimental activity; physics demonstrations