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Quantum Physics

1. This document discusses quantum physics and the photoelectric effect. It aims to teach learners about photons and electromagnetic radiation having particle-like properties. 2. Key points covered include photons having energy (E=hf) and momentum (p=E/c), and the photoelectric effect demonstrating that electromagnetic radiation can eject electrons from metal surfaces. 3. The minimum frequency needed to eject electrons is called the threshold frequency, and the minimum work to liberate an electron is the work function. The maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons depends on photon energy (hf), not intensity.

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60 views16 pages

Quantum Physics

1. This document discusses quantum physics and the photoelectric effect. It aims to teach learners about photons and electromagnetic radiation having particle-like properties. 2. Key points covered include photons having energy (E=hf) and momentum (p=E/c), and the photoelectric effect demonstrating that electromagnetic radiation can eject electrons from metal surfaces. 3. The minimum frequency needed to eject electrons is called the threshold frequency, and the minimum work to liberate an electron is the work function. The maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons depends on photon energy (hf), not intensity.

Uploaded by

dingoamoyi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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QUANTUM PHYSICS

PHYSICS YEAR 13
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this session, learners should be able to:
• understand that electromagnetic radiation has a particulate
nature
• understand that a photon is a quantum of electromagnetic
energy
• recall and use E = hf
• use the electronvolt (eV) as a unit of energy
• understand that a photon has momentum and that the
momentum is given by p = E / c
ENERGY OF A PHOTON
WAVES OR PARTICLES

• Light shows properties of waves: polarisation, diffraction and interference.


• In this chapter, we investigate properties of light, which suggest that it also
behaves like particles.
• We will also learn that electrons show wave properties.
• It was Max Planck who first suggested that light might come in energy
packets.
• Einstein linked this to his quantum theory. The resulting equation is known as
the Einstein–Planck equation:
• E = hf or E =hc/ λ
where h is the Planck constant (6.63 × 10-34J s).
• These packets of energy are called photons.
• A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic energy.
EXAMPLE
• An x-ray has a wavelength of 6.3 x 10-10 m. Calculate the energy of this x-ray
photon.

CLASS QUIZ
1. Calculate the energy of a high-energyγ-photon, of
frequency 1.0×1026Hz.
2. Visible light has wavelengths in the range 400nm(violet) to
700nm(red). Calculate the energy of a photon of red light
and a photon of violet light.
THE ELECTRONVOLT: A USEFUL UNIT
• The energy of a photon is extremely small and far less than a joule.
• Hence, the joule is not a very convenient unit for measuring photon energies.
• The electronvolt (eV), when considering amounts of energy much smaller
than a joule.
• It is the energy gained by an electron accelerated between 2 metal plates
with a potential difference of 1 Volt
V = W/Q
W = QV
Work (Energy) = Charge (electric) x Volt
• Therefore: 1eV=1.60×10-19J
• Thus, an electron accelerated through 1 V has an energy of 1 electronvolt.
• To convert from eV to J, multiply by 1.6 x 10-19.
• To convert from J to eV, divide by 1.6 x 10-19.
…ELECTRONVOLT
• When a charged particle is accelerated through a potential difference V, its kinetic
energy increases. For an electron (charge e), accelerated from rest, we can write:
eV = 1/2mv2
• It does not apply when a charged particle is accelerated through a large voltage
to speeds approaching the speed of light c. For this, we would have to take
account of relativistic effects. (The mass of a particle increases as its speed gets
closer to 3.0 x 108 m s-1.)
• Rearranging the equation gives the electron’s speed:

• Th is equation applies to any type of charged particle, including protons (charge


+e) and ions.
CLASS EXAMPLE
• A proton (charge = +1.6 x 10-19C, mass =1.7 x 10-27 kg) is
accelerated through a potential difference of 1500 V.
Determine:
i. its final kinetic energy in joules (J)
ii. its final speed.
CLASS EXERCISES
MOMENTUM OF A PHOTON
• As well as a photon having a discrete energy and particle-type behaviour, it
also has a momentum.
• Einstein suggested that the momentum of a photon p = E/c, where E is the
energy of the photon and c is the velocity of electromagnetic radiation in
free space.
• A useful way of using this formula is as p = hf/c, where h is the Planck
constant and f is the frequency of the photon.

CLASS EXERCISE
Calculate the momentum of an ultraviolet photon of wavelength 250nm.
THE PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
OBJECTIVES
• By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:
i. understand that photoelectrons may be emitted from a metal
surface when it is illuminated by electromagnetic radiation
ii. understand and use the terms threshold frequency and threshold
wavelength
iii. explain photoelectric emission in terms of photon energy and
work function energy
iv. recall and use hf =Φ + 1/2mvmax2
v. explain why the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is
independent of intensity, whereas the photoelectric current is
proportional to intensity
DEMONSTRATING PHOTOELECTRIC
EFFECT
• The photoelectric effect can be demonstrated using a gold-leaf electroscope (Figure 22.1).

• The electroscope is charged negatively.


• When visible light is shone onto the zinc plate, the electroscope remains charged no matter
how bright the light.
• When ultraviolet light is shone onto the plate, it steadily discharges; the brighter the light, the
faster it discharges.
• Ultraviolet light has enough energy to lift electrons out of the plate and for them to leak
away into the atmosphere; visible light does not have sufficient energy.
…PHOTOELECTRIC
• UV light is able to release electrons from the surface of the zinc plate because it posses the
threshold frequency.
• The threshold frequency is the minimum frequency required to release electrons from the
surface of a metal.
• A single electron requires work function (Φ) to escape the surface of the metal.
• The work function of a metal is the minimum amount of energy required by an electron to
escape its surface.
• Here are some rules for the photoelectric effect:
i. Electrons from the surface of the metal are removed.
ii. A single photon can only interact, and hence exchange its energy, with a single electron
(one-to-one interaction).
iii. A surface electron is removed instantaneously from the metal surface when the energy of
the incident photon is greater than, or equal to, the work function Φ of the metal.
iv. Energy must be conserved when a photon interacts with an electron.
v. Increasing the intensity of the incident radiation does not release a single electron when its
frequency is less than the threshold frequency. (intensity=rate of arriving photons.)
Threshold wavelength?
…PHOTOELECTRIC
The general equation for the graphs in
Figure 22.2 is of the form:
y = mx + c
In this case:
E = hf – Φ
where E is the maximum kinetic energy
of a liberated electron.
The maximum kinetic energy is when the minimum work is done in lifting the
electron from the surface, consequently:
hf = Φ + ½mvmax2
CLASS PRACTICE

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