Instructions:

• This handout is not a NOTES. You should look into the reference text books for the
detailed discussions and derivations. The topics given here and figures attached should
guide you to look for a detailed explanation in reference book mentioned.
• The questions and problems listed here are for reference only. This is not an exhaustive
list.
Ref: Chapter 40 in Serway Jewett ; Chapter 38 in HRK (partially)

Blackbody Radiation and Planck’s Hypothesis: (40.1 SJ)

• Fundamentals and physical model of a blackbody

• Stefan’s law- P = σAeT4 and Wein’s displacement law - λmaxT = 2,898 x 10-3 m. K

• Classical explanation of blackbody spectrum – Rayleigh Jeans law and its failure - Ultraviolet
Catastrophe
• Max Planck’s theory for explaining the Blackbody Radiation spectrum - Assumptions made.
The energy, an oscillator can have and the allowed transitions.
• Planck’s wavelength distribution function and how it reduces to Rayleigh Jeans Law at larger
wavelengths and how it solves the ultraviolet catastrophe issue at smaller wavelength.
 • Explanation of how Planck’s quantum theory helped explain the Blackbody radiation
spectrum.

The Photoelectric Effect: (40.2 SJ)

• The phenomenon of photoelectric effect, photoelectrons, the stopping potential.
• The classical predictions and experimental observations related to Dependence of
photoelectron kinetic energy on light intensity, Time interval between incidence of light
and ejection of photoelectrons, Dependence of ejection of electrons on light frequency,
Dependence of photoelectron kinetic energy on light frequency.
 • Einstein’s Photoelectric equation and explanation for experimental observations.

• Concept of work function, threshold frequency, cut off wavelength and expressions for
the same.

The Compton Effect: (40.3 SJ)

• The Phenomenon of Compton effect, limitations of classical physics in explaining the
scattering of x-rays from electrons.
• The quantum model of Compton effect and the experimental set up to observe the same.
• The Compton shift equation and the explanation of the observed peaks in Scattered x-
ray intensity versus wavelength for Compton scattering at various angles.

h
• Compton wavelength = mc = 0.002426 nm ; 𝒎 is the mass of electron.

• Derivation of Compton shift equation by applying the principle of conservation of

energy and conservation of momentum.
• In the scattering process, the total energy and total linear momentum of the system
must be conserved.
• Applying the principle of conservation of energy to this process gives

• Because the electron may recoil at a speed comparable to that of light, we must
use the relativistic expression:
 • Applying the law of conservation of momentum to this collision, noting that the x
and y components of momentum are each conserved independently.

• The nature of electromagnetic waves (40.4 SJ)

• The wave properties of particles – The concept of de Broglie waves; de Broglie
ℎ ℎ
wavelength λ = 𝑝 = 𝑚𝑢, the Davisson Germer experiment.
• The quantum particle

• The mathematical representation of a quantum particle – the wave packet

• The concept of group velocity (vg) and phase velocity (vp) and expressions for the
same.
𝜔 𝑑𝜔
vg = 𝑘 and vp = 𝑑𝑘 where ω and k are angular frequency and wave number, respectively.
• The relation between group velocity (vg) and phase velocity (vp)

• Relation between group velocity and particle velocity

• The Double slit experiment revisited (40.7 SJ)

• The Uncertainty principle

Similarly, the corresponding variable of time and frequency (which is related to energy
E = hf) having un-certainty principle form of
( E ) ( t) ≥ ħ / 2
where E is the uncertainty in the measurement of energy E of the system and
t is the uncertainty in the measurement of the lifetime t of the system in the energy
state E.
Problems:

1. The radius (r) of our Sun is 6.96 x 108 m, and its total power output (P) is 3.77
x 1026 W. (a) Assuming that the Sun’s surface (area = A) emits as a black
body, calculate its surface temperature (T). (b) Using the result, find MAX for
the Sun.
Ans: (a) 5.75 x 103 K (b) 504 nm
2. (a) At what wavelength does a object at Room Temperature (T=20o C) emit
maximum thermal radiation. ? (b) To what temperature must we heat it until its
peak thermal radiation is in the red region of spectrum? (c) How many times as
much thermal radiation does it emit at the higher temperature?
Ans: (a) 9.89 μm (b) 4458 K (c) 53591 times
3. A blackbody of surface area 1 cm2 is placed inside an enclosure. The enclosure
has a constant temperature 27°C and the blackbody is maintained at 327°C by
heating it electrically. What electric power is needed to maintain the
temperature ?
Ans: 0.73 W
4. Molybdenum has a work function of 4.2eV. (a) Find the cut off wavelength and
cut off frequency for the photoelectric effect. (b) What is the stopping potential
if the incident light has wavelength of 180 nm?
Ans: (a) λc = 296 nm and fc = 1.01 x 1015Hz (b) ∆Vs = 2.71 V
5. The stopping potential for photoelectrons released from a metal is 1.48 V larger
compared to that in another metal. If the threshold frequency for the first metal
is 40.0 % smaller than for the second metal, determine the work function for
each metal.
Ans: ϕ 2 = 3.70eV ϕ1= 2.22 eV
6. Ultraviolet light of wavelength 280 nm is used in an experiment on photoelectric
effect with lithium (ϕ = 2. 5 eV) cathode. Find (a) the maximum kinetic energy
of the photoelectrons and (b) the stopping potential.
Ans: (a) 1.9 eV and (b) 1.9V
7. A monochromatic source of light operating at 200 W emits 4 × 10 20 photons
per second. Find the wavelength of the light.
Ans: 400 nm
8. X- Rays with wavelength 100 pm are scattered from a carbon target. The
scattered radiation is viewed at 90o to the incident beam. (a) What is the
Compton shift ? (b) What K.E is imparted to the recoiling electron. ?
Ans: (a) 2.43 pm (b) 295 eV or 4.72 x 10-17 J
9. X rays of wavelength 22 pm are scattered from a carbon target, and the scattered
rays are detected at 85 degree to the incident beam.
(a)What is the Compton shift of the scattered rays?
(b) What percentage of the initial x-ray photon energy is transferred to an
electron in such scattering?
Ans: (a) 2.2 pm (b) 9.2%
A (λo =) 0.00160 nm photon scatters from a free electron. For what photon
scattering angle does the recoiling electron have kinetic energy equal to the
energy of the scattered photon? Ans: 70o
 10. (a) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength for an electron moving at 1x107 m/s
(b) A rock of mass 50 g is thrown with a speed of 40 m/s. What is its de Broglie
wavelength?
Ans: (a) 7.27 x 10-11 m (b) 3.3 x 10-34 m
11. Using Classical relation between momentum and kinetic energy, show that the
1.226 𝑛𝑚
de Broglie wavelength of an electron can be written as; λ = ; where K
√𝐾
is kinetic energy in eV.
12. Using Classical relation between momentum and kinetic energy, show that the
1.50
de Broglie wavelength of an electron can be written as; λ = √( ) nm ; where
𝑉
K is kinetic energy in eV.
13. The speed of an electron is measured to be 5 x 103 m/s to an accuracy of 0.003
%. Find the minimum uncertainty in determining the position of this electron.
Ans: 0.386 mm
14. The lifetime of an excited atom is given as δt = 1.0 x 10–8 s. Using the
uncertainty principle, compute the line width δf produced by this finite lifetime?
Ans: 8 x 106 Hz
Questions (For ref only. Not an exhaustive list):
1. Explain the limitations of classical physics in explaining Blackbody Radiation
spectrum with reference to ultraviolet catastrophe.
2. Explain how Max Planck’s quantum theory of radiation helped explain the
Black Body Radiation spectrum?
3. Explain Wien’s displacement law and Stefan’s law in the context of BB
radiation.
4. What is photoelectric effect? What are the classical predictions and
experimental observations made in photoelectric effect?
5. Discuss how Einstein’s theory helped in explaining the experimental
observations from Photoelectric effect.
6. What is Compton effect. Write an expression for Compton shift with
explanation of terms and draw graphs of scattered x-ray intensity versus
wavelength for θ= 0o and 135o.
7. Explain Compton effect with a schematic and write the equation for
conservation of energy and momentum with explanation of terms.
8. Derive an expression relating the phase velocity and group velocity and
comment about the same, for light waves at vacuum.
9. Show that the group speed of a wave-packet is equal to the particle speed.
10. State Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle and explain its significance in quantum
mechanics.