2020

PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

TEACHERS OF PHYSICS
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7/30/2020
1. Explain the term “work function” (1mk)
 Minimum amount of energy needed to dislodge an electron from the surface of a
metal.
2. Define the term monochromatic light. (1mk)
 Light or radiation of a single wavelength or frequency.
3. What do you understand by the term photoelectric effect? (1mk)
 The process by which electrons are emitted from metal surface when illuminated
with electromagnetic radiation of sufficient frequency.
4. Distinguish between thermionic emission and photoelectric effect. (1mk)

 Thermionic emission is the process of emitting electrons from the metal surface due to
heat energy while photoelectric effect is the process of emitting electrons from metal
surface by electromagnetic radiation of sufficient frequency.

5. Give one application of photoelectric effect(1mk)

Applied in: i) Photocells i.e. solar panels
ii) Emissive cells used in conveyor belts.

6. State two factors that affect photoelectric emission from a given metal surface.
i) Intensity of radiation
ii) Energy of radiation
iii) Type of metal

7. Name one factor that determines the velocity of photoelectrons produce on a metal
surface when light shine on it. (1mk)

 Frequency of the incident radiation.

 Material of the surface
8. Photoelectrons emitted by illuminating a given metallic surface constitute a
“photocurrent”. What is the effect of increasing the intensity of the illumination of the
magnitude of the photocurrent?
 Increase in magnitude of photocurrent.
9. A monochromatic beam of radiation is directed on a clean metal surface so as to
produce photoelectrons. Give a reason why some of the ejected photoelectrons have
more kinetic energy than others.
 An electron is bounded with nucleus of the metal atom with coulombic interaction.
When a photon is incident on the metal surface, some of the energy of the photon is
used up to overcome coulombic interaction and the remaining energy becomes the
kinetic energy of the emitted photo electrons.
10. Name a device used to convert light energy directly into electric energy.(1mk)
 Photocell
11. State two uses of photocell (2mk)
 Used in solar panels
 Used in burglar alarm
12. What energy conversion occurs in a photocell? (1mk)
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13. What is meant by photo-voltaic effect? (1mk)
 Photo-voltaic effect is the process that generates voltage or electric current in
a photo-voltaic cell when it exposed to sunlight.
14. You are provided with a clean Zinc plate, a leaf electroscope, a charging rod and a
source of ultra-violet (U.V.). Describe briefly with the aid of a diagram how photo-
electric effect may be demonstrated. (5mks)
15. Sketch on the same axes the graphs of photo-electric current (y-axis) against
the voltage for two different intensities A1 and A2 of ultra-violet where A1> A2
(3mk)

16. Describe with the aid of a labeled diagram an experimental set-up for observing the
photoelectric effect.

Negatively charged Ultra violet light

zinc plate

Gold leaf falls immediately the zinc

plate is illuminated with ultra violet
light

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17. The figure below shows ultra violet light striking a polished zinc plate placed on a
negatively charged gold leaf electroscope.

Explain the following observation

i) The leaf of the electroscope falls.
 Photoelectrons emitted from negatively charged zinc plate are repelled and
electroscope becomes discharged causing the lf divergence to fall.
ii) When the same experiment was repeated with a positively charged, the leaf did not fall.
 Photoelectrons emitrted from positively charged zinc plate are attracted back
i.e they do not escape. Thus leaf divergence remains.
18. A candle is used to heat the cap of a charged electroscope as shown in the figure below.

Explain the following observation

i) It is observed that the electroscope leaf falls after sometime. Explain why the leaf falls
after some time.
 Heat from the candle causes emission of electrons from the cap of charged
electroscope. Emitted electrons repelled by negative charges discharges the
electroscope causing the electroscope leaf to fall.
ii) State with a reason the likely charge of the electroscope.
 Negatively charged. Negative charges repel emitted electrons discharging the
electroscope.

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1. The figure below show a circuit diagram for a photocell.

a) Name the parts A and C

A – Anode
C - Cathode
b) Why is the micro ammeter showing a deflection when ultraviolet light is shown on the
photocell?
 When UV is illuminated on photocell, photoelectrons are emitted. Emitted
photoelectrons are attracted toward plate A, completing the circuit,
photocurrent flows hence deflection on the micrometer.
c) Explain how the millimeter reading is affected when the intensity of light is increased.
 Micrometer reading increases/Deflection on micrometer increases
d) State the factors that determine the velocity of the emitted electrons (2mk)
 Energy of radiation
 Work function of the metal.

2. The diagram shows a photocell in action

i) The photocell is either evacuated or filled with an inert gas at low pressure. Give one
reason for this.
 To ensure that all the electrons emitted by the cathode reach the anode to
maximize the photocurrent.
ii) What is the function of the resistor R in the circuit?
 To lower/control the current in the circuit.
iii) State the reason for using a particular radiation such as ultraviolet for a given photocell.

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  The energy of the incident light must be greater than work function of
cathode surface if photoelectron emission has to occur.
iv) Explain how the set-up shown in the diagram may be used as an automatic switching
device for a burglar alarm. (2mk)
 Add a relay circuit in the above circuit.
 Consisting of soft-electromagnet and burglar alarm.
 The current flowing in the circuit ensures that the relay switch is attracted to
the electromagnet. When UV light is cut off, the photocurrent ceases and the
relay switch completes the burglar alarm circuit and alarm sounds.

3. The figure below shows an arrangement used to investigate photoelectric effect.

i) What is the purpose of the color filter? 1mk

 Selectively to transmit/allow light with desired wavelength while restricting
others.
ii) State two measurable quantities in this set up 2mk
i) Voltage
ii) Photocurrent
iii) State how the intensity of light affects photo current 1mk
 Increase in intensity of light increases photocurrent.
4. The graph below is a sketch of photo current against the potential difference across
the terminals of a photocell when radiated with light of frequency f and intensity t

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 On the same axes sketch the graph of the photo current against the potential difference
(p.d) when the photocell is radiated with light of:
a) Higher frequency and of same intensity t. (1mk)
b) Lower intensity and of same frequency f. (1mk)

1. Write Einstein’s photoelectric equation and explain the meaning of each part.(3mk)

.

Where hf = Energy of photon; wo = Energy needed to dislodge an electron from

metal surface; and ½ mev2 = maximum energy gained by this electron.
2. Light of frequency 5.5x1014 Hz is made to strike a surface whose work function is
2.5eV. Show that photoelectric effect will not take place h=6.6x10-34Js.
 Freq = 5.5 x 1014Hz
Wo = 2.5 eV
h = 6.6 x 10-34Js
For photoelectric effect to take place, the energy of photon should be greater/ more
than/exceed the work function of the metal.
Energy of photon = hf
= 6.6 x 10-34 x 5.5 x 1014
= 3.36 x 10-49J
Wo = 2.5 x 1.6 x 10-19 = 4 x 10-9J
3. Electrons emitted from a metal when light of a certain frequency is shone on the metal
are found to have to have a maximum energy of 8.0 x 10-19J. If the work function of the
metal is 3.2 x 10-19J, determine the wavelength of the light used.
 KEmax = 8.0 x 10-19J
Wo = 3.2 x 10-19J
λ of the light used
hf = Wo + ½ mev2
.

λ= 1.768 x 10-7 m
4. The work function of a certain material is 3.2eV. Determine the threshold frequency of
the material. (1eV=1.6 x 10-19 and h=6.62 x 1034Js)
 Wo = 3.2eV
1eV = 1.6 x 10-19J
Wo = 3.2 x 1.6 x 10-19J
h = 6.62 x 10-34Js
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 Wo = hfo
fo =

fo = 7.734 x 1014Hz.
5. The wavelength of light from a sodium lamp is 5.9 x 10-7m. A 200W sodium vapour
has an efficiency of 40%.
 λ = 5.9 x 10-7m
p = 200W
n = 40%
Calculate:
a) The energy of one quantum of sodium light.

 E = hf =
E = 3.366 x 10-19J
b) The number of quanta emitted in one second.
 Energy of one quata
1 = 3.366 x 10-19J
? = 80Js
. = 2.377 x 1019 quantas
6. The threshold frequency for potassium is 5.37 x 1014Hz. When the surface of potassium
is illuminated by another radiation, photoelectrons are emitted with the speed of 7.9 x
105m/s.
 fo = 5.37 x 10` 4Hz
Ve = 7.9 x 105m/s
Calculate:
a) The work function for potassium
 Wo = hfo
= 6.62 x 10-34 x 5.37 x 1014
= 3.55 x 10-59J
b) The K.E of the photoelectrons
 K.E = ½ mev2
= ½ x 9 x 10-31 x (7.9 X 105)2
= 2.808 x 10-19J
c) The frequency of the second source.
 hf = Wo + K.E
.

7. A metal has a work function of 2eV. Calculate the threshold wavelength of the metal
given that e=1.6 x 10-19C, h=6.63 x -19C and me = 9 x 10-31kg.

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  Wo = 2eV
1eV = 1.6 x 10-19J
= 2 x 1.6 x 10-19J

8. A surface whose work function ɵ is 2.46eV is illuminated by light of frequency 3 x

1015Hz. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectrons. (h=6.63 x
10-34Js).
 Wo = 2.46eV
f = 3 x 1015Hz
hf = Wo + KEmax
KEmax = hf – Wo
KEmax = (6.62 x 10-34 x 3 x 1015) – (2.46 x 1.6 x 10-19)
KEmax = 1.5924 x 10-18J
9. A radiation of frequency 8.5 x 1014Hz is incident on a metal emitting photoelectrons.
Determine the threshold wavelength.
(Plank’s constant = 6.63 x 10-31Js)
 f = 8.85 x 1014Hz
h = 6.63 x 10-34J

hf =

λo =

λo =

=
λo = 3.389 x 10-7m
10. The threshold wavelength of a photo emissive surface is 5.55 x 10-7m.
Take C = 3.0 x 108m/s, h = 6.6 x 10-31Js and Me = 9.1 x 10-31kg. Calculate:
i) Its threshold frequency.
 λo = 5.55 x 10-7m
fo =

fo =
fo = 5.405 x 1013Hz
ii) The work function in electron volt.
 Wo = hfo

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 = 6.62 x 10-34 x 5.405 x 1015
= 3.578 x 10-19J
= 2.236eV
iii) The maximum speed with which a photoelectron is emitted if the frequency of radiation
is 6.2 x 1014z.
 Maximum speed
hf = Wo + KEmax
hf = Wo + ½ mev2
½ mev2 = hf - Wo
KEmax = (6.63 x 10 -34 x 6.2 x 1014) – (3.598 x 10-19)
= 5.326 x 10-20J
KEmax = ½ mev2

v=√

v=√

v = 3.42 x 105m/s
11. Sodium has a work function of 3.68 x 10-19J. Calculate the minimum frequency of light
that can free a photoelectron from the surface of sodium.
 Wo = 3.68 x 10-19J
Wo = hfo

fo =
fo = 5.55 x 1014Hz

12. A surface whose work function ᵩ = 6.4 x 10 -19

Joules is illuminated with light of
frequency 3.0 x 1015Hz. Find the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted
photoelectrons. (n = 6.63 x 10-34Js)
 Wo = 6.4 x 10-19J
f = 3.0 x 1015Hz
Max K.E
hf = Wo + K.Emax
K.Emax = hf – Wo
K.Emax = (6.62 x 10-34 x 3.0 x 1015) – (6.4 x 1019)J
K.Emax = 1.346 x 10-18J
13. The longest wavelength of radiation that can produce photoelectric effect in iron is 2.67
x 10-7. Calculate the work function of iron. Take speed of light = 3.0 x 108m/s, Plank’s
constant = 6.63 x 10-34Js).
 λo = 2.67 x 10-7m
Wo = hfo

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 Wo =

Wo =
Wo = 7.44 x 10-19J

1. In a photoelectric effect experiment, a certain metal surface was illuminated with

radiation of different frequencies the table below shows the variation between
frequency and stopping potential.
Frequency, f(Hz) (x1014) 8.2 9.1 10.0 11.5 13.0
0.2 0.6 1.0 1.6 2.2
Stopping potential, Vs(V)

i) Plot a graph of stopping potential (y – axis) against frequency.

ii) Use the graph to determine Plank’s constant and threshold frequency of the metal.
2. The table below shows the relationship between the wavelength λ, of a radiation falling
on a surface and the energy of E of the emitted electrons.
λ (m) x 10-7 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5
10 13 20 40
E(J) x 10-19

Frequency(f)

i) Plot a graph of energy E against the frequency f of the incident light.

ii) Determine the work function, Wo of the surface used. (Take C = 3.00 x 108 m/s and h =
6.663 x 10-34Js)
3. In an experiment to observe photoelectric emission from a clean cesium surface, the
following readings were obtained.
Stopping potential (V) 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.2
6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Light frequency (x 1014Hz)

i) Plot the graph of stopping potential VS (y axis) against frequency.

ii) From the graph, determine the threshold frequency of the surface.
iii) Use the graph to determine Plank’s constant (e = 1.6 x 10-19C)
4. In an experiment of photoelectric emission from a clean metal surface, the following
readings were obtained as shown below.
Frequency f (1015Hz) 0.6 0.7 0.8 1.0
0.58 1.25 2.56 3.26
Maximum Kinetic energy, K.E (10-19)

i) The metal surface used normally should be cleaned. Explain.

ii) Plot a graph of kinetic energy, ER against frequency f and use the graph to determine.
(i) The Plank’s constant

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(ii) The work function of the metal in electron volts(eV)
5. A student carried out an experiment to determine the Plank’s constant and the work
function of a metal surface, she obtained the following results.
Kinetic energy ke ( x 10-20J) 4.0 10.4 16.5 22.7 29.3 35.8
4 5 6 7 8 9
Frequency (x 1014Hz)

i) On the grid provided, plot a graph of KE against frequency.

ii) Given that hf = wo + ke, determine the Plank’s constant.
iii) The threshold wavelength λo.
6. A metal surface is illuminated with radiations of different wavelength and the kinetic
energy of the photoelectrons ejected by each wavelength is recorded in the table below.
Wavelength (x 10-19m) 415 387 368 345 325 315
0.5 0.8 1.1 1.5 1.75 2.00
Energy (x 10-19J)

Frequency(Hz)

a) Complete the table by filling the frequency.

b) Plot a graph of energy (y-axis) against frequency on the grid paper provided.
c) Use the graph to find:
i) Work function
ii) Plank’s constant
iii) Stopping potential when wavelength is 315x10-9m.
7. The graph below shows the variation of kinetic energy (K.E) of a photoelectric emitted
against frequency of the incident radiation.

From the graph determine the:

i) Threshold frequency of the metal used
 fo = 4.0 x 1014Hz
ii) Plank’s constant(h)

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  Plank’s constant = Gradient of the graph
( )
hf = hfo + KE => =
( )
h = 6.25 x 10-34Js
iii) Work function of the metal in joules
 Wo = hfo = 6.25 x 10-34 x 4.0 x 1014 = 2.5 x 10-19J
Alternatively
 Work function = y – intercept
= 2.5 x 10-19J

iv) The threshold wavelength.

(Take charge of an electron = 1.6 x 10-19C and C = 3.0 x 108m/s)

 λo =

8. The graph below shows how the energy of light incident on a metal varies with the
frequency. Find the threshold frequency of the metal.

From the graph determine the:

i) Threshold frequency of the metal used.
 3.4 x 1014Hz
ii) Plank’s constant(h)
 Plank’s constant = Gradient of the graph
( )
 h=( )
iii) Work function of the metal in joules

(Take charge of an electron = 1.6 x 10-19C and C = 3.0 x 108m/s)

 Wo = hfo
= 6.522 x 10-34 x 3.4 x 1014
= 2.217 x 10-19J

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9. The graph below shows the variation of stopping potential, Vo, with incident frequency,
f, for a certain metal producing photoelectrons.

i) What is meant by stopping potential?

ii) Use the graph to determine the working function of the metal.
10. In an experiment to find the relationship between frequency of ration and kinetic energy
of photoelectrons in a photoelectric device, the following graph was obtained.

Determine from the graph to answer the following questions,

i) The threshold frequency
ii) Find the Plank’s constant, h. (Charge of an electron is 1.6 x 10-19)
iii) Calculate the work function of the metal in joules.

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11. A student investigated how the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons, emitted
from a zinc cathode, varies with the frequency of the incident radiation. The results
obtained were plotted as shown on the graph below.

From the graph determine:-

i) The Plank’s constant
ii) The work function
iii) Lithium metal has a higher work function than zinc. On the same axes, sketch a graph
for lithium.
12. The graph below shows the variation of stopping potential, Vo, with incident frequency,
f, for a certain metal producing photoelectrons.

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i) What is meant by stopping potential?
ii) Use the graph to determine the working function of the metal.
13. The graph below shows the variation of kinetic energy (K.E) of a photo electric emitted
against frequency of the incident radiation.

From the graph the equation hf=hfo + KE holds, determine:

i) The threshold wavelength λo (2mks)
ii) The Plank’s constant, h (3mks)
iii) Hence calculate the work function, wo. (2mks)
14. The graph below shows how the energy of light incident on a metal varies with the
frequency. Find the threshold frequency of the metal.(1mk)

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15. The graph in figure shows the variation of frequency of radiation f with the greatest
kinetic energy of the emitted electrons.

From the graph determine:-

i) Plank’s constant (4mks)
ii) Hence or otherwise calculate the work function of the metal.(3mks)

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