Physics Independent learning

Q1.
(a) Describe what occurs in the photoelectric effect.

Photons hit the electrons on the surface of the metal and cause them to be emitted.
(2)

(b) Violet light of wavelength 380 nm is incident on a potassium surface.

Deduce whether light of this wavelength can cause the photoelectric effect when
incident on the potassium surface.

work function of potassium = 2.3 eV

E=hc/λ=((6.63*10^-34*3*10^8)/(380*10^-9))/(1.6*10^-19)=3.3 eV>2.3 eV, yes

Page 1
 (4)

(c) The photoelectric effect provides evidence for light possessing particle properties.

State and explain one piece of evidence that suggests that light also possesses
wave properties.

It diffracts when passing through a slit, a property only waves possess.

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
(a) When illuminated with electromagnetic waves, a metal surface can exhibit the
photoelectric effect. The maximum wavelength that causes the emission of
photoelectrons with zero kinetic energy is 6.8 × 10–7 m.

(i) Show that the threshold frequency for the surface is approximately 4.4 × 1014
Hz.

f=c/λ=(3*10^8)/(6.8*10^-7)=4.4*10^14 Hz
(2)

(ii) Show that the work function for the surface is approximately 2.9 × 10–19 J.

Φ=hf-EK=6.63*10^-34*4.4*10^14-0=2.9*10^-19
(2)

(iii) Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted from the surface
when it is illuminated with ultraviolet radiation of frequency 7.8 × 1014 Hz.

EK=hf-Φ=6.63*10^-34*7.8*10^14-2.9*10^-19=2.3*10^-19 J

maximum kinetic energy 2.3*10^-19 J

(2)

(b) Explain why the photoelectric effect cannot be explained by the wave theory of
light.

Page 2
 If light was only a wave it would continuously give energy to the electrons thus
causing them to be emitted regardless of its frequency, however this is not the case
as there is a threshold frequency.
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q3.
(a) A particular photocell is designed to emit electrons when visible light is incident on
its cathode. When yellow light of wavelength 570 nm is incident on the cathode the
electrons are emitted with almost zero kinetic energy.

speed of electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum = 3.0 × 108 m s–1 the

Planck constant = 6.6 × 10 –34 J s charge
on electron = –1.6 × 10 –19 C

(i) Show that the threshold frequency of the cathode material is about 5 × 1014
Hz.

f=c/λ=(3.0*10^8)/(570*10^-9)=5.3*10^14 Hz

(2)

(ii) Calculate the work function of the cathode material.

Φ=hf-EK=6.63*10^-34*5.3*10^14-0=3.5*10^-19 J

(2)

(b) Ultra-violet radiation of photon energy 4.7 × 10–19 J and of the same intensity as the
visible light in part (a) is now incident on the cathode.

(i) Calculate the maximum velocity of the emitted electrons.

mass of electron = 9.1 × 10–31 kg.

EKmax=hf-Φ=4.7*10^-19-3.5*10^-19=1.2*10^-19 J

v=sqrt(2*EKmax/m)=sqrt((2*1.2*10^-19)/(9.1*10^-31))=510000 m/s

(4)

Page 3
 (ii) State and explain the effect on the number of electrons emitted per second
resulting from this change in the photon energy of the incident radiation.

Since the intensity is the same the photons hit the same number of electrons,
the only difference being that higher energy photons will cause them to be
emitted at a higher speed.
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q4.
Which statement suggests that electrons have wave properties?
Tick (✔) the correct answer.

Electrons are emitted in photoelectric effect experiments.

Electrons are released when atoms are ionised.

Electrons produce dark rings in diffraction experiments. ✔

Electron transitions in atoms produce line spectra.

(Total 1 mark)

Q5.
Photons of wavelength 290 nm are incident on a metal plate. The work function of the
metal is 4.1 eV

What is the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons?

A 0.19 eV ✔

B 4.3 eV

C 6.9 eV

D 8.4 eV

(Total 1 mark)

Page 4
Q6.
Line X on the graphs below shows how the maximum kinetic energy of emitted
photoelectrons varies with the frequency of incident radiation for a particular metal.

Which graph shows the results for a metal Y that has a higher work function than X?

A ✔

D
(Total 1 mark)

Page 5
Q7.
The diagram shows an energy-level diagram for a hydrogen atom.

Electrons, each having a kinetic energy of 2.0 × 10–18 J, collide with atoms of hydrogen in
their ground state. Photons are emitted when the atoms de-excite.

How many different wavelengths can be observed with incident electrons of this energy?

(Total 1 mark)

Page 6