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CHAPTER
DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION
11 AND MATTER

Learning Objectives Photoelectric Effect

11.1 INTRODUCTION
After studying this unit, you will be able to
understand the following The Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism and
• Electron emission Hertz experiments on the generation and detection of
• Photoelectric effect electromagnetic waves in 1887 strongly established the
• Experimental study of photoelectric wave nature of light. Towards the same period at the
effect end of 19th century, experimental investigations on
• Laws of photoelectric effect conduction of electricity (electric discharge) through
• Einstein’s photoelectric effect
gases at low pressure in a discharge tube led to many
• Important graphs related to
historic discoveries. The discovery of X-rays by
photoelectric effect
Roentgen in 1895, and of electron by J. J. Thomson in
• The photon
• Photoelectric cell 1897, were important milestones in the understanding
• Applications of photo electricity of atomic structure. It was found that at sufficiently low
pressure of about 0.001 mm of mercury column, a
discharge took place between the two electrodes on
applying the electric field to the gas in the discharge
tube. A fluorescent glow appeared on the glass
opposite to cathode. The colour of glow of the glass
depended on the type of glass, it being yellowish-green
for soda glass. The cause of this fluorescence was
attributed to the radiation which appeared to be
coming from the cathode. These cathode rays were
discovered, in 1870, by William Crookes who later, in
1879, suggested that these rays consisted of streams of
fast moving negatively charged particles. The British
physicist J. J. Thomson (1856-1940) confirmed this
hypothesis. By applying mutually perpendicular electric
and magnetic fields across the discharge tube, J. J.
Thomson was the first to determine experimentally the
speed and the specific charge [charge to mass ratio
(e/m)] of the cathode ray particles. They were found to
travel with speeds ranging from about 0.1 to 0.2 times
the speed of light (3 ×108 m/s). The presently accepted
value of e/m is 1.76 × 1011 C/kg. Further, the value of
e/m was found to be independent of the nature of the
material/metal used as the cathode (emitter), or the
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gas introduced in the discharge tube. This observation

suggested the universality of the cathode ray particles.

The Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism and

Hertz experiments on the generation and detection of
electromagnetic waves in 1887 strongly established the
wave nature of light.1

Towards the same period at the end of 19th century, experimental investigations on conduction of
electricity (electric discharge) through gases at low pressure in a discharge tube led to many historic
discoveries. The discovery of X-rays by Roentgen in 1895, and of electron by J. J. Thomson in 1897,
were important milestones in the understanding of atomic structure. It was found that at sufficiently
low pressure of about 0.001 mm of mercury column, a discharge took place between the two
electrodes on applying the electric field to the gas in the discharge tube. A fluorescent glow
appeared on the glass opposite to cathode. The colour of glow of the glass depended on the type of
glass, it being yellowish-green for soda glass. The cause of this fluorescence was attributed to the
radiation which appeared to be coming from the cathode. These cathode rays were discovered, in
1870, by William Crookes who later, in 1879, suggested that these rays consisted of streams of fast
moving negatively charged particles. The British physicist J. J. Thomson (1856-1940) confirmed this
hypothesis. By applying mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields across the discharge
tube, J. J. Thomson was the first to determine experimentally the speed and the specific charge
[charge to mass ratio (e/m)] of the cathode ray particles. They were found to travel with speeds
ranging from about 0.1 to 0.2 times the speed of light (3 ×108 m/s). The presently accepted value of
e/m is 1.76 × 1011 C/kg. Further, the value of e/m was found to be independent of the nature of the
material/metal used as the cathode (emitter), or the gas introduced in the discharge tube. This
observation suggested the universality of the cathode ray particles.
Around the same time, in 1887, it was found that certain metals, when irradiated by ultraviolet light,
emitted negatively charged particles having small speeds. Also, certain metals when heated to a high
temperature were found to emit negatively charged particles. The value of e/m of these particles
was found to be the same as that for cathode ray particles. These observations thus established that
all these particles, although produced under different conditions, were identical in nature. J. J.
Thomson, in 1897, named these particles as electrons, and suggested that they were fundamental,
universal constituents of matter. For his epoch-making discovery of electron, through his theoretical
and experimental investigations on conduction of electricity by gasses, he was awarded the Nobel
Prize in Physics in 1906. In 1913, the American physicist R. A. Millikan (1868-1953) performed the
pioneering oil-drop experiment for the precise measurement of the charge on an electron. He found
that the charge on an oil-droplet was always an integral multiple of an elementary charge,
1.602 × 10–19 C. Millikan’s experiment established that electric charge is quantised. From the values
of charge (e) and specific charge (e/m), the mass (m) of the electron could be determined.
11.2 ELECTRON EMISSION
We know that metals have free electrons (negatively charged particles) that are responsible for their
conductivity. However, the free electrons cannot normally escape out of the metal surface. If an
electron attempts to come out of the metal, the metal surface acquires a positive charge and pulls
the electron back to the metal. The free electron is thus held inside the metal surface by the
attractive forces of the ions. Consequently, the electron can come out of the metal surface only if it
has got sufficient energy to overcome the attractive pull. A certain minimum amount of energy is
required to be given to an electron to pull it out from the surface of the metal. This minimum energy
required by an electron to escape from the metal surface is called the work function of the metal. It
is generally denoted by O and measured in eV (electron volt). One electron volt is the energy gained
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by an electron when it has been accelerated by a potential difference of 1 volt, so that

1 eV = 1.602 ×10–19J.
This unit of energy is commonly used in atomic and nuclear physics. The work function (O) depends
on the properties of the metal and the nature of its surface. The values of work function of some
metals are given in Table 11.1. These values are approximate as they are very sensitive to surface
impurities.
Note from Table 11.1 that the work function of platinum is the highest (0 = 5.65 eV) while it is the
lowest (0 = 2.14 eV) for cesium.
The minimum energy required for the electron emission from the metal surface can be supplied to
the free electrons by any one of the following physical processes:
Table 11.1: Work Functions Of Some Metals
Metal Work function 0(eV) Metal Work function 0(eV)
Cs 2.14 Al 4.28
K 2.30 Hg 4.49
Na 2.75 Cu 4.65
Ca 3.20 Ag 4.70
Mo 4.17 Ni 5.15
Pb 4.25 Pt 5.65
(i) Thermionic emission: By suitably heating, sufficient thermal energy can be imparted to the
free electrons to enable them to come out of the metal.
(ii) Field emission: By applying a very strong electric field (of the order of 108 Vm–1) to a metal,
electrons can be pulled out of the metal, as in a spark plug.
(iii) Photo-electric emission: When light of suitable frequency illuminates a metal surface,
electrons are emitted from the metal surface. These photo(light)-generated electrons are
called photoelectrons.
11.3 PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
We know that substances, chiefly metals, when exposed to electromagnetic radiations such as
X-rays, -rays, ultraviolet rays, visible light, or in some cases even infrared rays, absorb the radiations
and the energy is enough to help free electrons in the metal to come out of the surface. This
phenomenon, caused due to the interaction of radiation on matter with emission of electrons, is
called the photoelectric effect.
The emitted electrons are called the photoelectrons. The current so produced is called photoelectric
current.
The phenomenon of emission of electrons from a metallic surface when illuminated by light of
appropriate wavelength or frequency is known as photoelectric effect.
Different substances emit photoelectrons when subjected to different radiations. For instance, X-
rays incident on heavy metals eject electrons from K, L shells. Certain semi-conductors like
transistors respond to infrared radiations. The alkali metals respond very well to visible and
ultraviolet radiations.
It was accidentally noted by Hertz in 1887 that the electric discharge in a cathode ray tube is
facilitated when the tube is exposed to ultraviolet light. Later, in 1888, Hallwachs showed
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that when a negatively charged zinc plate is exposed to ultraviolet rays, it soon loses its
negative charge. Even when an uncharged plate was exposed to ultraviolet rays, it acquired
a positive charge. From here, it follows that when zinc plate is exposed to high energy
radiation, electrons are emitted out of its surface—so that its initial negative charge is lost,
or the zinc plate on losing electrons acquires a positive charge.
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11.4 EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

1. The most common and usual method to study photoelectric effect is
to have an evacuated bulb Q (Figure 11.1).

2. This contains two plates, circular or rectangular, C and D, placed

parallel to each other.

3. The two plates are connected in series with a battery B whose voltage
can be varied, and a microammeter A in series with the circuit.

4. The 'collector' plate C is connected to the positive of the battery.

Figure. 11.1
When the bulb Q is kept in darkness, there is no current in the circuit.

5. As soon as the cathode D is illuminated by certain

radiation, the microammeter at once registers a
current. This shows that due to the impact of radiation
on D, it emitted electrons which were received by C,
completing the circuit and thus the current was shown
by the instrument.

6. The laboratory set up for a detailed experimental study

of the phenomenon is shown in Figure. 11.2. The tube
containing two electrodes P and Q has a side window of
quartz, to permit ultraviolet rays for the experiment
(glass absorbs ultraviolet rays).
Figure. 11.2
7. A source of radiation is suitably placed in front of the
window such that the radiation falls on Q. P and Q are
connected to a voltmeter, with zero centre so that we
can know by how much volt P is positive or negative
with respect to Q.

8. To provide the necessary voltage, we have a high tension battery B connected across a potential
divider arrangement MN, with a key K.

9. The centre terminal of the potential divider is connected to the plate Q, while a sliding contact L
causes varying potentials to be applied to the plate P.

10. The current is registered by the micro-ammeter A connected in series as shown.

We make the following investigations with this experimental setup.

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(I) EFFECT OF INTENSITY OF THE INCIDENT RADIATION

1. P is kept at a suitably high positive potential. Q is illuminated with

monochromatic ultraviolet radiation.

2. The intensity of the radiation can be altered by using suitable

filters in the path of the radiation. The radiation causes
photoelectrons to be emitted.

3. The photoelectrons rush to the collector plate P and the

photoelectric current is noted from the micro-ammeter.

4. The intensity of the radiation is varied and the photoelectric

current is carefully noted. A graph plotted between intensity I and Figure. 11.3
the photoelectric current shows a straight line (Figure 11.3). This
proves that the photoelectric current varies directly as the
intensity of the incident radiation.

(II) EFFECT OF POTENTIAL

1. With the experimental set up already described, graph between

the photoelectric current in (microampere) and the voltage
across the electrodes P and Q is drawn. It appears as shown in
Figure 11.4.

2. Curve A is for low intensity of the incident radiation and curve B

is for high intensity of the incident radiation.

3. We note that the photoelectric current increases with the

increasing potential.

4. For a certain potential, the current becomes maximum. The Figure. 11.4
graph now becomes horizontal and thereafter whatever be the
potential, the 'saturation current' remains constant. Its value, of
course, is greater for more intense radiations. If B has twice the
intensity of A, then the current I is twice as much.

5. Let the potential of P be now made zero. At this stage, a small current is observed due to the
few electrons which, just because of sufficiently large velocity of emission, are able to reach P,
even though P does not have any positive accelerating voltage.
6. Now let P be made negative by sliding the running contact L towards N. The current begins to
fall off rapidly and at a given fixed value of potential (– V0), the current becomes zero, and the
photoelectric emission will stop altogether.
7. The incident radiation, however intense, is just able to emit the electrons but these are (none
of these) not able to reach P because of its repulsive negative voltage. This voltage V0 is called
the stopping potential. This stopping potential is independent of the intensity of the incident
radiation.
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8. Both the curves A and B corresponding to low and

high intensities come to the same zero at the same
V0.

9. However, we increase the frequency of the incident

radiation; the stopping potential is also increased
to a more negative value, as shown in Figure 11.5.

10. An increase in the frequency of incident light

increases the velocity of the emitted electrons.
Their kinetic energy is thus increased, and they now Figure. 11.5
require a greater stopping potential. Thus if v3 > v2
> v1 then the corresponding stopping potentials V1
V2 and V3 are such that V3> V2 > V1

(III) EFFECT OF FREQUENCY

1. The effect of frequency of incident radiation on the

stopping potential was studied by Millikan and is shown
in Figure 11.6.

2. A particular emitter metal Q was chosen (Li, Na, K etc.)

and it was exposed to lights of various frequencies.

3. The photoelectric current was observed and the

negative stopping potential needed to reduce this
current to zero was noted. A graph was plotted, and it
came out to be a straight line.

4. A different graph is found for a different emitting metal,

but the graphs are all parallel.

5. In the figure, only one graph is shown. At 0, the Figure. 11.6
stopping potential is zero. This means that at this
frequency, the incident radiation (howsoever intense) is
not able to eject any electron. So, no voltage is needed
to stop it.

This frequency is called the threshold frequency.

6. It depends upon only the nature of the emitting material. If the frequency of the incident
radiation is even slightly less than 0, no emission of electrons is possible, even though, we
may illuminate the surface with as much intense radiation and for as long a time as we
choose.
Thus, the threshold frequency for a given surface may be defined as the lowest limiting
frequency below which the incident radiations are unable to cause any photoelectric
emission, whatever be the intensity of such radiation and whatever the time for which the
surface is exposed to this radiation.
This fact assumes a very great significance in serving as the turning point in the philosophy of
Physics when we have to decide whether light or radiation consists of waves or particles.
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11.5 LAWS OF PHOTOELECTRIC EMISSION

After studying in detail the experiments concerning the photoelectric emission, we obtain the
following laws of photoelectric emission.
(i) For a given material, there is a certain minimum frequency of radiation known as the
threshold frequency, such that if the incident radiation has a frequency below this threshold,
no photoelectric emission will ever take place, however intense the radiation may be and for
whatever length of time we may expose the material to this radiation.
(ii) For the incident frequency  greater than the threshold frequency 0, the photoelectric
current is directly proportional to the intensity of radiation till saturation is reached. (There is
no threshold intensity). Even the feeblest incident radiation will emit electrons, however few
in number, provided the frequency is greater than threshold frequency.
(iii) For the incident frequency greater than the threshold frequency, the maximum kinetic energy
of the photoelectrons is directly proportional to only the frequency of incident radiation and
it is independent of both the intensity of radiation and the duration of time of exposure.
(iv) The photoelectric emission is an instantaneous process. The time interval between the falling
of radiation on the photoelectric surface and the ejection of photoelectrons is of the order of
10–9 second.
11.6 EINSTEIN'S PHOTOELECTRIC EQUATION
Max Planck, in 1905, had put forward his quantum theory of radiation. According to this theory,
energy is emitted or absorbed not as a continuous stream but in discontinuous steps. In each step, a
small bundle or 'packet' of energy is emitted or absorbed.
Einstein developed this theory and applied it to photoelectric emission. According to him, light
radiation is also emitted or absorbed in steps of discrete units or quanta of light (quanta is plural of
quantum). A quantum of light was named by him as a photon. Thus the energy associated with a
photon of frequency
 is E = h
where h is the Planck's constant.
Applying this theory further, we see that when energy h is incident on a metal, it causes an electron
to be ejected out of the metal instantaneously. The electron must first overcome the inner forces to
just get ejected out of the metal, and then leave the surface barrier with some velocity.
1 2
Thus, E = h = 0 + mvmax
2
Where 0 is called the work function. It is the energy needed to liberate an electron from the metal
bonds and to bring it on the surface without imparting any kinetic energy to it. It is also denoted by
1 2
W0. mvmax is the kinetic energy of the emitted electron. So, the K.E. of emitted photoelectron is
2
given by
1 2
mvmax = h – 0
2
The work function is different for different metals, and represents the energy spent in overcoming
what we call the potential barrier of that metal surface. If 0 is the threshold frequency, we have
obviously 0 = h0. Thus the equation for photoelectric emission takes the following form:
1 2
mvmax = h – h0 = h( – 0)
2
1 2
 mvmax = h (  –  0 )
2
This is known as Einstein's photoelectric equation. Now, let us see how this theory, as put forward
by Einstein, meets the requirements of the laws of photoelectric emission.
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EXPLANATION OF LAWS OF PHOTOELECTRIC EMISSION

(i) If  < 0 then v2 is a negative quantity. So, the velocity v of the emitted photoelectron is
imaginary. Thus, no photoelectric emission is possible in this case. From here, we get concept
of threshold frequency as that frequency below which no photoelectric emission is possible.
(ii) If  > 0 then v2 is a positive quantity. So, photoelectric emission shall take place. Higher the
intensity of incident light, greater will be the number of available photons and consequently,
greater will be the number of emitted photoelectrons. So, the photoelectric current will be
increased.
(iii) K.E. of emitted electron = h( – 0)
So, the K.E. of the photoelectron is directly proportional to the frequency of incident radiation.
The frequency should, of course, be greater than threshold frequency.
c
(iv) c =  or =

1 2 hc
 mvmax = − 0
2 
If  is decreased, the kinetic energy shall increase. Thus, smaller the wavelength , greater will
be the kinetic energy and hence greater will be the velocity of emitted electron.
(v) Photoelectric emission is a 'knock-out' process in which a single photon of energy h knocks
1 2
out an electron with energy mvmax . Increase in the intensity of incident radiation simply
2
means an increase in the number of incident photons. Thus, many photons of the same
frequency will simply knock out as many electrons of the same kinetic energy. As a result,
there is an increase in photoelectric current. But the photoelectrons, though increased in
number, will all have the same energy as given by Einstein's equation.
(vi) An increase in the frequency of the incident radiation increases the energy of the emitted
electrons as given by Einstein's equation. An increase in frequency does not increase the
number of photoelectrons. This means that the photocurrent will not increase because the
photocurrent depends simply upon the number of photoelectrons. Thus, the increase in
frequency has no effect on the magnitude of photocurrent.
RELATION BETWEEN STOPPING POTENTIAL, FREQUENCY, THRESHOLD FREQUENCY

As already established, from Einstein’s photoelectric equation, Max. Kinetic energy is

Kmax = h − 0 ________
(1)

If V0 is the cut off potential or stopping potential and e is the charge on the electron, then
__________
Kmax = eV0 (2)

If 0 is the threshold frequency , the work function 0 = h0 __________

(3)

From (1), (2) and (3) we have

eV0 = Kmax = h −h0 = h( − 0) _____________

(4)

If  = wavelength of the incident radiation,

0 = threshold wavelength for the metal surface,

c = velocity of light
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c c
Then,  = and 0 =
 o

Putting values in (4), we get

c c  1 1 
eV0 = Kmax = h  −  or eV0 = Kmax = hc  − 
  o    o 

According to Einstein's theory of photo- electric emission, one incident photon of light can
eject one photoelectron from the surface of metal. But it does not mean that the number
of photo electrons emitted from the metal surface will be equal to the number of photons
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incident on it. In fact all the photons falling on the metal surface are involved not only in
ejecting the electrons from a metal surface but in many other processes also. As a result
of it, the ratio of number of photoelectrons ejected to the number of the photons falling
on the metal surface is less than one. This ratio can be increased by coating the surface of
the metal with a layer of barium oxide or strontium oxide, due to it, the work function of
the metal surface is lowered.

Example 11.1 Light of wavelength 332 nm is incident on a metal surface of work function 1.07
eV. What will be the value of stopping potential required to stop emission of
photoelectrons? h = 6.62 × 10−34 Js.

Solution h 0 6.62  10−34  3  108 1.07  1.6  10 −19

V0 = = = −
c e 1.6  10−19  332  10−9 1.6  10−19

= 3.73 − 1.07 = 2.66V

Example 11.2 The work function of cesium is 2.14 eV. Find (a) the threshold frequency for
cesium, and (b) the wavelength of the incident light if the photo current is
brought to zero by a stopping potential of 0.60 V. Given h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.

Solution Here, V0 = 0.60 V, 0 = 2.14 eV = 2.14 × 1.6 × 10−19 J.

 2.14  1.6  10−19
(a) Threshold frequency, 0 = o = −34
= 5.16  1014 Hz
h 6.63  10
hc hc 6.63  10 −34  ( 3  108 )
(b) eV0 = − 0 or  = =
 ( eV0 + 0 ) (1.6  10−19  0.6 + 2.14  1.6  10−19 )

Example 11.3 The threshold frequency of a metal is 0. When the light of frequency 20 is
incident on the metal plate, the maximum velocity of electrons is v1. When the
frequency of the incident radiation is increased to 50, the maximum velocity of
electron emitted is v2. Find the ratio of v1 to v2.
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Solution In the first case

1 2 2h0
h(20) = h0 + mv 1 or v1 =
2 m

In the second case

1 2 8h0
h(50) = h0 + mv 2 or v2 =
2 m

v1 2h 0 /m 1
Now, = =
v2 8h 0 /m 2

11.7 IMPORTANT GRAPHS RELATED TO PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

(i) Frequency () and Stopping potential (V0) graph
h 
As, eV0 = h − 0 or V0 =  − o So V0  
e w
Therefore,  − V0 graph is a straight line as shown in figure 11.7. Comparing the above relation
with y = mx + C, we note that the slope of  - V0 graph is h/e. The x- intercept is 0 and the y
intercept is - 0/e.
V0 V0

A B C


0
− 0
e 
Figure 11.7 Figure 11.8
Frequency () and stopping potential (V0) graphs for different materials will be represented by
parallel straight lines as shown in figure 11.8. It is so because, the slope of each straight line is
h/e but the threshold frequency for different materials is different.
(ii) Frequency () and maximum kinetic energy (Kmax) graph.
As, Kmax = h− 0 So, Kmax  
The  - Kmax graph is a straight line as shown in figure 11.9. Comparing the above relation with
y = mx+ C, we note that slope of  − Kmax graph is h, x -intercept is 0 and y-intercept is - 0.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 11

Kmax I


0
0 0 
Figure 11.9 Figure 11.10
(iii) Frequency () and photoelectric current (I) graph.
It is shown in figure 11.10. This graph shows that the photoelectric current I is independent of
frequency of the incident light, till intensity remains constant.
(iv) Intensity and stopping potential (V0) graph.
It is shown in figure 11.11. This graph shows that the magnitude of the stopping potential is
independent of the intensity of the incident radiation, till the frequency of the incident
radiation remains constant.
V0 I

t
Intensity O 10−9s
Figure 11.11 Figure 11.12
(v) Time (t) and photoelectric current (I) graph
It is shown in figure 11.12. This graph shows that the photoelectric current attains the
saturation value in 10−9 s from the start of radiation falling on photosensitive material,
irrespective of the intensity of incident light.
11.8 THE PHOTON
Photoelectric effect established the fact that light in interaction with matter behaves as if it was
made of quanta or packets of energy, each of energy h, where h is Planck's constant and v is the
frequency of light. Einstein also made an important conclusion that the light quantum can be
associated with momentum h/c, where c is the velocity of light. A definite value of energy as well as
momentum gives a strong indication that the light quantum is a particle which was later named as
'photon'. The particle like behaviour of light was later on confirmed by the experiments of
A.H. Compton, on scattering of X-rays from electrons.
The photon picture of electromagnetic radiations and the characteristic properties of photons are
given below:
(1) In interaction of radiation with matter, radiation behaves as if it is made of particles like
photons.
 h h 
(2) Each photon has energy E (= h = hc/) and momentum p  =  , where h is Planck's
 c 
constant,  and  are the frequency and wavelength of radiation and c is the velocity of light.
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(3) Irrespective of the intensity of radiation, all the photons of a particular frequency  or
 h h 
wavelength  have the same energy E (= h = hc/) and same momentum p  =  .
 c 
(4) By increasing the intensity of radiation of a given frequency or wavelength on a metal surface,
there is only increase in the number of photons per second falling on that surface, while each
photon is having the same energy. It shows that the photon energy is independent of the
intensity of radiations.
(5) All the photons emitted from a source of radiations travel through space with the same speed
c (equal to the speed of light).
(6) The frequency of photon gives the radiation, a definite energy (or colour) which does not
change when photon travels through different media.
(7) The velocity of photon in different media is different which is due to change in its wavelength.
(8) The rest mass of a photon is zero. According to theory of relativity, the mass m of a particle
moving with velocity v, comparable with the velocity of light c is given by
m0
m= or m0 = m 1 − v2 / c2 ____
(1)
1−v /c
2 2

where m0 is the rest mass of particle. As a photon moves with the speed of light i.e., v = c, so
from (1), m0 = 0. Hence photon has zero rest mass.
(9) Photons are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields. This shows that photons are
electrically neutral.
(10) In a photon-particle collision (such as photo-electron collision), the energy and momentum are
conserved. However the number of photons may not be conserved in a collision. One photon
may be absorbed or a new photon may be created.
Photon is not a material body but it is a packet of energy. The intensity of
light depends upon the number of photons present in light.
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The rest mass of photon is zero. Equivalent mass of a photon, = h/c2 or

h/c.

The momentum of a photon of energy E is E/c and of wavelength  is h/.

Example 11.4 Find the number of photons emitted per minute by a 25 watt source of
monochromatic light of wavelength 5000 Å.

Solution hc 6.6  10−34  3  108

Energy of a photon = h = = −10
J = 3.96 × 10–19 J
 5000  10

Energy emitted by 25 W source in 1 minute = 25 × 60 J = 1500 J

1500
Number of photons emitted = = 3.78  1021 .
3.96  10 −19

Example 11.5 The momentum of photon of electromagnetic radiation is 3.3 × 10−29 kg ms-1.
What is the frequency and wavelength of the waves associated with it? h = 6.6 ×
10−34 Js.

Solution Here, p = 3.3 × 10−29 kg ms−1;  = ? ;  =?

 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 13

Energy of a photon = h = mc2 = (mc) xc=pc

pc 3.3  10−29  3  108

or = =
h 6.6  10−34

= 1.5 × 1013 Hz.

c 3  108
= = = 2  10−5 m
 1.5  10 13

Example 11.6 What is the momentum of a photon of energy 1 MeV.

Solution Energy of a photon, E = 1 MeV = 1 × 1.6 × 10−13 J

E = mc2 = (mc) × c = p × c

E 1.6  10−3
or p= =
c 3  108

= 5.33 × 10−22 kgms−1.

11.9 PHOTOELECTRIC CELL

A photoelectric cell is a device by which we may convert light energy into electric energy.
There are different kinds of photoelectric cells:
1. Photoemitter cell. It work on the Einstein's theory of photoelectric emission.
2. Photoconducting cell. It is based on the fact that the electrical conductivity of the material
(mostly, selenium) of the cell is increased when exposed to light.
3. Photovoltaic cell. When certain materials are exposed to light, an emf is developed between
the two terminals. This produces a feeble current in the circuit. This cell is generally used in
exposure-meters of good cameras and solar batteries.
By far, the most important of the photo cells is the photo-emitter cell, which directly or, coupled
with a relay, is used in numerous applications.
PHOTO-EMITTER CELL
1. A photo-emitter cell is highly evacuated glass or quartz bulb
(Figure 11.13) generally tubular in shape.

2. It contains a cylindrical electrode called the cathode C and a

thin rod called anode A or the collector.

3. The two are connected to the terminals of the battery, A to

positive and C to the negative of the battery.

4. The circuit is broken at points X, X, which are here shown as

connected to a micro ammeter (A) to read the emitter
current.
Figure11.13: Photo–emitter cell

5. When the cathode is exposed to light, electrons are

 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 14

emitted out of the surface which is generally coated

with barium or cesium oxide with low work function.
Thus, even visible light is sufficient to eject electrons
from the surface.

6. This cell can also be gas-filled in order that emitted

electrons, with their high energies may ionise the
gas and thus we may obtain a high value of emitter
current. Or else, as it is generally done, we may
remove the micro-ammeter and between the points
X, X, put an electromagnetic relay (Figure 11.14).
Figure. 11.14 Electromagnetic relay
7. It consists of an electromagnet EM, which is
energised by the feeble current in the photoelectric
cell circuit to which it is connected at XX.

8. The electromagnet has a soft iron armature which is kept tight by spring S. A terminal C is
attached to the armature rod.
9. When no current is flowing through EM, the spring is keeping C in contact with A. The moment
light falls on photoelectric cell, a feeble current flows through EM and the armature is
attracted. Then C makes a contact with B. Thus light acts as an automatic switch.
C – A ON with no light, OFF with light (or 'no' switch).
C – B OFF with no light, ON with light (or 'yes' switch).
By carefully utilising the type of switch we want, we can use photoelectric cell in a variety of ways.

PHOTOCONDUCTING CELL

This cell is based on the principle that the electrical

resistance of certain semiconductors (such as selenium,
lead sulphide etc.) decreases when light radiations are
incident on them. The cell consists of a thin layer of
semiconductor rigidly fixed between an iron plate and a
transparent metal sheet. The metal sheet is connected to 11.15: Photo–conducting cell
the iron plate through a battery, a resistance R and a key.

When the circuit is completed, a weak current flows. However when light falls on the transparent
metal sheet, the resistance of the semiconductor decreases. Consequently, the current increases.
The magnitude of the photoelectric current increases with the increase in the intensity of incident
radiation.

PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL

This cell is primarily used for the measurement of

intensity of illumination. In this cell, a thin layer of
cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is coated on a copper plate. A thin
layer of silver is deposited on Cu2O.
Figure 11.16: Photo–voltaic cell
When light is incident on the photocell, the
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 15

photoelectrons are emitted from Cu2O. These

photoelectrons travel through silver which becomes
negatively charged.

The copper plate is positively charged. A potential difference is created between silver and copper.
Thus a current is established in the circuit. The current is directly proportional to the intensity of
incident radiation.

11.10 APPLICATIONS OF PHOTOELECTRICITY

All the applications of the photoelectric phenomenon rest on the working of the photoelectric cell,
either directly reading on the micro-ammeter scale, or with the use of a relay, switching on or off an
external circuit, automatically as light falls on the cathode of the cell, or stops on the cathode of the
photoelectric cell.
Some of the applications are described below:
(i) The reproduction of sound in cinema films. We know that sound is recorded as variations in
light intensity along the pictures in a cinema film. This film with the recorded sound is made to
pass between an exciter lamp of constant intensity and photoelectric cell. Because of the
varying intensity of recordings, we get light from the lamp falling on the cathode of the
photoelectric cell with varying intensities. This light of varying intensities causes electronic
emission of varying currents. This is amplified and fed into a loudspeaker. Thus sound is
reproduced.
(ii) Television transmission. The television camera makes use of the photoelectric emission
principle and thus bright and dark light images are interpreted as high and low electrical
charges because of photoelectric emission. These are further processed and television signals
are 'telecast'.
(iii) In astronomy. The feeble light from the stars-too feeble to be carefully detected and analysed,
is good enough to fall on the cathode of the photoelectric cell and emit electrons whose
intensities and energies are interpreted as intensities of those stars and their temperatures.
(iv) Light meters and exposure meters. Highly intense light incident on a photoelectric cell
generates photovoltage or photoelectric current, as the case may be. This is observed on a
suitable scale and correct exposure for the camera can be set manually or automatically.
(v) Temperature control. The temperature of a furnace can be controlled. This makes use of a
photoelectric cell and a relay. When the temperature (and thereby the radiation incident on
the photoelectric cell) increases, the relay operates the 'no' switch and the current is cut off
automatically, thus reducing the temperature of the furnace. It becomes automatically 'on'
when the temperature falls just below the pre-determined value.
(vi) Solar batteries. Photo-voltaic cells are used in converting solar radiations to electrical emf.
(vii) Automatic fire alarm. A photoelectric cell is located conveniently in an industrial area where
fire risks are there. If fire breaks out, it illuminates the cathode of the cell. This, coupled with
relay, operates the 'yes' switch and automatically rings the fire alarm which is connected in its
circuit.
(viii) Automatic thief or burglar alarm. A source of ultraviolet radiation (invisible) is focused on the
cathode of photoelectric cell with relay. The moment an intruder comes in between, the
radiation is cut off and it works 'no' switch, automatically rings bell and puts on the lights in
the house.
(ix) Automatic street light. Photoelectric cell with connected relays are kept facing the sky. The
moment sky is overcast with dense clouds or when night comes, the light is cut off and it
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 16

works the 'ON' switch of the relay, which causes street lighting to be switched on
automatically. At day light, the switch is automatically put off.
(x) Other similar applications. As soon as you sit on your chair, the table lamp lights on and the
ceiling fan is turned on. As soon as you stand before a water spout, water starts coming out of
it. As you go away, water supply is stopped. As soon as the bag is being filled, with say, wheat,
the moment the weighing needle comes to a pre-set mark, say 50 kg, the wheat stops pouring
in the bag. Thus each and every bag is correctly filled with equal weight.

(xi) Thickness control of paper and other such materials in a factory. A photoelectric cell is placed
below a roll of paper as it is being manufactured. The source of light is placed above. If the
paper is of less thickness than the correct pre-set value, more light enters the photoelectric
cell and this puts on the 'yes' switch. So the machinery is controlled to produce uniformly thick
paper.
(xii) Complexion meters. These are light-exposure meters used in cosmetic industry.
(xiii) Locating minor faults and holes in finished goods. The working process is same as described in
(xi) above.
(xiv) Automatic opening of garage door. Light from the car lamp falls on a known spot behind
which the photoelectric cell is placed. So it activates the 'yes' switch, which turns on a motor
and which rolls open the door of the garage.
In fact, the photoelectric emission can be made use of, in innumerable devices depending only
on human skill, imagination and ability to control this phenomenon.

QU I CK REV I EW OF F ORM U LA QRF 11.1

1. Work function, 0 = h0 = hc/0

1 2 hc hc
2. K.E of emitted photoelectron, Kmax = mvmax = eV0 = h −0 = h −h0 = −
2  o

Units used :

0 in joules, V0 is stopping potential in volt, h is Plank’s constant ( = 6.63× 10−34 Js) c and vmax
in ms−1, m is in kg and  is wavelength in metre.

3. Energy of photon, E = h= hc/

hc h
4. Momentum of photon, p = =
c 

E h h
5. Equivalent mass of photon, m = = =
c 2 c 2 c

Where, h is Plank’s constant (= 6.63 × 10−34 Js), c is the velocity of light ( = 3 × 108 m/s),  is

the frequency of photon and  is the wavelength of photon.

Units used :

E is in Joules, p is in kg ms−1 and m is in kg.

 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 17

F OR M A T I V E C A P S U L E FC 11.1
CONCEPTUAL PROBLEMS
1. Threshold wavelength for a certain material is 5000 Å. Will photo-emission take place when
this material is illuminated with light from 8.3 W UV lamp?
2. Light of frequency 1.5 times the threshold frequency is made incident on a photo-sensitive
material. If intensity is doubled and frequency is halved, then what will be the effect on pho-
to electric current?
3. What is the physical significance of the statement: "The work function of a metal is x eV"?
4. A source of light is placed at a distance r from a photo-cell. What would be the effect on the
cut-off potential if distance is doubled?
5. A good mirror reflects 80% of light incident on it. How would you determine that 20% photons
have not been reflected or all photons are reflected but energy of each is decreased by 20%?
6. The work function of some metals is given below:
Na : 1.92 eV; K: 2.15 eV; Mo : 4.17 eV; Ni: 5.0 eV
Which of these metals will not give photoelectric emission for a radiation of wavelength 3300Å
from a He-Cd laser placed 1 m away from the photocell? What happens if the laser is brought
nearer and placed 50 cm away?
7. Show that a free electron at rest cannot absorb a photon and thereby acquire kinetic energy
equal to the energy of the photon. Would the conclusion change if the free electron was
moving with a constant velocity?
8. If the absorption of a photon by a free electron is ruled out as in previous question, how does
photoelectric emission take place at all?
9. Prove that the product of the slope of -Vs graph and electronic charge gives the value of
Planck's constant.
10. Will photoelectrons be emitted by a copper surface of work function 4.4 eV, when illuminated
by visible light?
11. If the frequency of light incident on a metallic plate be doubled, will the kinetic energy of
electrons be also doubled?
12. Will sodium show photoelectric effect with orange light of wavelength 6800Å? The work
function of sodium is 2.3 eV.
13. An X-ray photon of wavelength  strikes an electron at rest and suffers Compton scattering.
Will the scattered photon have a wavelength greater or smaller than ?
14. What happens to the wavelength of a photon after it collides with an electron?
15. What is the frequency of a photon of energy 3.3 × 10−20 J?
16. Two metals A and B have work functions 2eV, 4eV respectively. Which metal has a lower
threshold wavelength for photoelectric effect?
17. For photoelectric effect in a metal, the given
figure shows the plot of cut-off voltage versus
frequency of incident radiation. Determine (i)
the threshold frequency (ii) work function of
the given metal.

NUMERICAL PROBLEMS
18. Light of wavelength 3500 Å is incident on two metals A and B. Which metal will yield photo-
electrons if their work functions are 4.2 eV and 1.9 eV respectively? Given: h = 6.62 × 10–34 J s.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 18

19. The electric field associated with a monochromatic beam of light becomes zero 2.4 × 1015
times per second. Find the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons when this light falls
on a metal surface whose work function is 20eV ; h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.
20. Ultra-violet light of wavelength 800 Å and 700 Å when allowed to fall on hydrogen atoms in
their ground state is found to liberate electrons with K.E., 1.8 eV and 4.0 eV respectively. Find
the value of Planck's constant.
21. Find the difference of kinetic energies of photoelectrons emitted from a surface by light of
wavelengths 2500 Å and 5000 Å. [h = 6.62 × 10−34 Js]
22. Find the frequency of light which ejects electrons from a metal surface, fully stopped by a
retarding potential of 3V. The photo- electric effect begins in this metal at a frequency of
6 × 1014 s−1. Find the work function for this metal. (Given, h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js)
23. The threshold frequency of a material is 2 × 1014 Hz. What is its work function in eV?
Given: h = 6.62 × 10–34 J s.
24. Work function of sodium is 2.3 eV. Does sodium show photoelectric emission for orange light
( = 6800 Å)? Given: h = 6.63 × 10–34 J s.
25. Two metals X and Y have work functions 2 eV and 5 eV respectively. Which metal will
emit electrons when irradiated with light of wavelength 400 nm and why?
26. If radiation of wavelength 5000 Å is incident on a surface of work function 1.2 eV, find the
value of stopping potential. Given: h = 6.62 × 10–34 J s.
27. Light of wavelength 2000Å falls on a metallic surface whose work function is 4.21 eV. Calculate
the stopping potential.
28. When light of wavelength 400 nm is incident on the cathode of a photocell, the stopping
potential recorded is 6 V. If the wavelength of the incident light is increased to 600 nm,
calculate the new stopping potential. [Given, h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js; c = 3 × 108 m/s; e =1.6 × 10−19 C]
29. The electric field associated with a light wave is given by E = E0 sin [(1.57 × 107 m−1) (ct − x)]
Find the stopping potential when this light is used in an experiment on photoelectric effect
with the emitter having work function 2.1 eV. h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.
30. Find the maximum velocity of photoelectrons emitted by radiation of frequency 3 × 1015 Hz
from a photoelectric surface having a work function 4.0 eV
31. The work function of cesium is 2.14 eV. Find (a) the threshold frequency for cesium and (b)
the wavelength of the incident light if the photocurrent is brought to zero by a stopping
potential of 0.60 V. Given h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js
32. Ultraviolet light of wavelength 2271 Å from a 100 W mercury source irradiates a photocell
made of molybdenum metal. If the stopping potential is 1.3 volt, estimate the work function
of the metal. How would the photocell respond to a high intensity (  105 W m–2) red light of
wavelength 6328 Å produced by He-Ne laser?
33. Light of wavelength 5000 Å falls on a sensitive plate with work function 1.90 eV. Calculate (a)
the energy of the photon in eV, (b) kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons and (c)
stopping potential. Given: h = 6.62 × 10–34 Js.
34. The work function for cesium is 1.8 eV. Light of 5000 Å is incident on it. Calculate (a) Threshold
frequency and threshold wavelength, (b) maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons,
(c) maximum velocity of the emitted electrons, (d) if the intensity of the incident light be
doubled, then what will be the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons?
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 19

35. In an experiment on photoelectric effect, Kmax(× 10−19)J

the graph between maximum kinetic 4
3 B
energy (Kmax) and frequency  of emitted
2
photoelectron from metal Surface is found
1 A
to be a straight line as shown in figure.
0
Calculate (a) threshold frequency. (b) work
−1 4 6 8 10 (× 1014s)−1
function of metal in electron volt. (c)
−2 C
Planck's constant and (d) maximum kinetic
−3
energy of the emitted electron by light of
frequency  = 8 × 1014 s−1.

36. When a piece of metal is illuminated by monochromatic light of wavelength  then the
stopping potential for photoelectric current is 2.5 V0. When the same surface is illuminated by
light of wavelength 1.5 , then the stopping potential becomes V0. Find the value of threshold
wavelength for photoelectric emission.
37. Given figure below is the graph between
frequency () of the incident light and
maximum kinetic energy (Ek) of the emitted
photoelectrons. Find the values of (i)
threshold frequency and (ii) work function
from the graph.

38. Find the difference of kinetic energies of photoelectrons emitted from a surface by light of
wavelengths 2500 Å and 5000 Å. [h = 6.62 × 10−34 Js]
39. Find the photon energy in eV for electromagnetic wave of wavelength 1 m.
Given: h = 6.63 × 10–34 Js.
40. If light of wavelength 4950 Å is viewed as a continuous flow of photons, what is the energy of
each photon in eV? Given: Planck’s constant h = 6.6 × 10–34 J s.
41. Find the number of photons in 6.62 J of radiation energy of frequency 1012 Hz.
42. Calculate the energy and momentum of a photon of wavelength 6600 Å.
(h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js, c = 3 × 108 ms−1)
43. Monochromatic light of frequency 6.0 × 1014 Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is
2.0 × 10−3 W. (a) What is the energy of a photon in the light beam? (b) How many photons per
second, on the average, are emitted by the source? Given h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.
44. The wavelength of light in the visible region is about 390 nm for violet colour, about 550 nm
(average wavelength) for yellow-green colour and about 760 nm for red colour.
What are the energies of photon in eV at the (i) violet and (ii) average wavelength yellow
green colour and (iii) red end of the visible spectrum?
(Take h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js and 1ev = 1.6 ×10−19 J
45. Calculate the energy of a photon in electron volt, whose (i) frequency is 1000 kHz (i7)
Wavelength is 6600 Å. Given h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js, 1 eV= 1.6 × 10−19 J.
46. A radio transmitter operates at a frequency of 880 k Hz and a power of 10 kW. Find the
number of photons emitted per second.
47. The minimum light intensity that can be perceived by the eye is about 10 −10 Wm−2. Find the
number of photons of wavelength 5.84 × 10−7 m that must enter the pupil, of area 10−4 m2 s−1
for vision. Given h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js.
48. Calculate the number of photons emitted per second by a 10 watt sodium vapour lamp.
Assume that 90% of the consumed energy is converted into light. Wavelength of sodium light
is 590 nm. h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 20

49. A parallel beam of light is incident normally on a plane surface absorbing 40% of the light and
reflecting the rest. If the incident beam carries 10 watt of power, find the force exerted by it
on the surface.
50. A stopping potential of 0.82 volt is required to stop the emission of photoelectrons from the
surface of a metal by light of wave length 4000 Å. For light of wavelength 3000 Å, the stopping
potential is 1.85 volt. (i) Find the value of Planck’s constant [1eV = 1.6 × 10 −19J]. (ii) At stopping
potential if the wavelength of light is kept fixed at 4000 Å, but the intensity of light increased
two times, will photoelectric current be obtained? Give reason for you answer.
51. Light of wavelength 4000 Å is incident on barium. Photoelectrons emitted describe a circle of
radius 50 cm by a magnetic field of flux density 5.26 × 10−6 tesla. What is the work function of
barium in eV? Given h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js: e = 1.6 × 10−19 C; me = 9.1 × 10−31 kg.
52. A 200 watt sodium street lamp emits yellow light of wavelength 0.6m. Assuming it to be 25%
in converting electrical energy to light, find the number of photons of yellow light (of
wavelength 6000 Å) it emits per second. Given h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js; c = 3 × 108 m/s
53. Calculate the strength of the transverse magnetic field required to bend all photoelectrons
with in a circle of radius 50 cm, when light of wavelength 4000 Å is incident on a barium
emitter. Work function of barium is 2.5 eV.
Given, me = 9.1 × 10−31 kg; h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js: e = 1.6 × 10−19 C
54. If 5% of the energy supplied to an incandescent light bulb is radiated as visible light, how many
visible quantas are emitted per second by a 100 watt bulb? Assuming the wavelength of all the
visible light to be 5600 Å.
55. Given that a photon of light of wavelength 10,000 Å has an energy equal to 1.23 eV. When
light of wavelength 5000 Å and intensity I0 falls on a photoelectric cell and the saturation
current is 0.40 × 10−6 ampere and the stopping potential is 1.36 volt. Then (i) what is the work
function? (ii) If intensity of light is made 4I0, what should be the saturation current and
stopping potential.
56. Radiations of two photons energies, twice and five times the work function of metal are
incident successively on the metal surface. Find the ratio of the maximum velocity of
photoelectrons emitted in the two cases.
57. The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted from a metal surface is 30 eV, when
monochromatic light of wavelength  falls on it. When the same surface is illuminated with
light of wavelength 2, the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is observed to be
10 eV. Calculate the wavelength  and determine the maximum wavelength of incident
radiation for which photoelectrons can be emitted by this surface, h = 6.62 × 10−34 Js.
58. 10.6 eV photons of intensity 2.0 W/m2 falls on a platinum surface of area 1.0 × 10−4 m2 and
work function 5.6 eV, 0.53% of the incident photons eject photo electrons. Find the number of
photoelectrons emitted per second and their minimum and maximum energies (in eV).
59. When a surface is irradiated with light of wavelength 4950 Å, a photo-current appears which
vanishes if a retarding potential greater than 0.6 volt is applied across the photo tube. When a
different source of light is used, it is found that the critical retarding potential is changed to
1.1 volt. Find the work function of the emitting surface and the wavelength of second source.
If photoelectrons (after emission from the surface) are subjected to a magnetic field of 10
tesla, what changes will be observed in the above two retarding potentials.

P R A CT I C E C A P S U L E PC 11.1
CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS
1. Which phenomenon establishes the particle nature of light?
(A) Diffraction (B) Polarization
(C) Photoelectric effect (D) Zeeman effect
2. The ‘fundamental constant’ involved in Einstein’s photoelectric equation is known as
(A) Planck’s constant (B) Rydberg constant
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 21

(C) Boltzmann constant (D) Fine-structure constant

3. The emission of photons from a photoelectric material depends on the
(A) wavelength of the incident light
(B) intensity of the incident light
(C) polarization of the incident light
(D) orientation of the material toward the light beam
4. In an experiment, monochromatic sodium light illuminates a photoelectric material kept 1 m
away from the source of light. If the material is shifted away to a distance of 2 m, then the
(A) energy of the emitted electrons become 1/4th of the initial energy
(B) number of electrons becomes 1/4th of the initial number of electrons
(C) energy of the emitted electrons becomes 1/2 of the initial energy
(D) number of electrons becomes 1/2 of the initial number of electrons
5. In the photoelectric effect, the number of photoelectrons emitted is proportional to the
(A) intensity of the incident beam (B) frequency of the incident beam
(C) velocity of the incident beam (D) work function of the photocathode
6. In the photoelectric effect, when the intensity of a monochromatic light wave is increased, it
(A) increases the number of electrons released
(B) has no effect, since the emission depends on frequency only
(C) increases the energy of the emitted photoelectrons
(D) decreases the energy of the emitted photoelectrons
7. In photoelectric effect, an increase in the intensity of light for the same frequency
(A) increases the maximum kinetic energy of electrons
(B) decreases the stopping potential
(C) increases the photoelectric current
(D) causes no change
8. In photoelectric effect, the absence of time lag between the falling of light and the emission of
electrons signifies the
(A) establishment of the quantum theory of light
(B) failure of the electromagnetic theory
(C) establishment of the classical theory
(D) failure of the classical theory
9. To carry out the photoelectric experiment, a scientist makes light of a certain frequency to fall
on a metal surface, but does not observe any photoelectron emission. What should she do in
order to make the metal emit electrons?
(A) Decrease the frequency of light and increase the intensity
(B) Decrease both the frequency and intensity of light
(C) Increase the frequency without worrying about intensity of light
(D) Increase the wavelength and the intensity of light.
10. The frequency of a monochromatic light incident on a metal is 1.5 times the threshold
frequency of the metal. If the frequency of the monochromatic light is halved and its intensity
is doubled, then the value of photocurrent will
(A) double (B) remain the same
(C) become half (D) become zero
11. The photoelectric effect supports
(A) Newton’s corpuscular nature of light (B) Huygen’s wave theory of light
(C) Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory of light (D) Einstein’s quantum theory of light
12. The work function of the photoelectric effect
(A) is the same for all materials
(B) depends on the electronic structure of materials
(C) is a linear function of the incident light’s intensity
(D) is proportional to the square of the wavelength
13. In photoelectric emission, the number of electrons ejected per second is proportional to the
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 22

(A) intensity of the light (B) wavelength of the light

(C) frequency of the light (D) work function of the emitter
14. When a photon falls on a material, it gets absorbed after traveling some distance. This
distance depends on the
(A) charge of the electron (B) charge to mass ratio of the electron
(C) work function of the material (D) angle of incidence of the electron
15. A monochromatic light source is at a distance of 0.3 m from a photoelectric cell. The cut-off
voltage and saturation current are 0.6 V and 32 mA, respectively. If the same source is placed
at a distance of 1.2 m from the cell, then the
(A) stopping potential will become 0.2 V (B) stopping potential will become 1.2 V
(C) saturation current will become 32 mA (D) saturation current will become 2 mA
16. A radiation of wavelength 300 nm is incident on a photosensitive metallic surface. The
stopping potential of the emitted electrons is found to be 2.5 V. If the wavelength of the
incident light is reduced by 150 nm, then the stopping potential of the emitted photoelectrons
will be
(A) 2.5 V exactly (B) between 2.5 V and 4.5 V
(C) 5 V exactly (D) more than 5 V
17. The dimension of Planck constant is that of
(A) force (B) energy
(C) angular momentum (D) linear momentum
18. A piece of sodium is successively illuminated by ultraviolet and infrared radiation. If the
stopping potential is determined in both the cases, then the stopping potential will be
(A) equal in both the cases (B) more for the ultraviolet radiation
(C) more for the infrared radiation (D) a function of light intensity
19. A monochromatic light source is placed 0.7 m away from a photocell. The cut-off potential of
the photocell is V0. If the distance between the source and the photocell is doubled, then the
cut-off potential will be
(A) 2V0 (B) V0 (C) V0/2 (D) V0/4
20. An image of the sun formed on the metal surface of a large photoelectric cell by a lens
produces a current I. The lens which forms this image is then replaced by another lens which
has the same diameter but only half the focal length as the previous lens. The photoelectric
current will be
I I
(A) (B) (C) 2I (D) I
2 2
21. Photoelectric effect follows the law of conservation of
(A) mass (B) angular momentum
(C) energy (D) linear velocity
22. When a yellow light is incident on a photosensitive surface, electrons are ejected from it.
When an orange light is incident on the same surface, electrons are not ejected. Which of
following colours of white light cannot eject photoelectrons from the given surface?
(A) Violet (B) Green (C) Blue (D) Red
23. The photoelectric threshold frequency of a particular material lies in the red part of the visible
light spectrum. Which of the following classes of photons can eject electrons from the
material?
(A) Infrared (B) Microwave (C) X-ray (D) Radio wave
24. A photocell can be used to
(A) store photons
(B) measure light intensity
(C) convert photon energy into mechanical energy
(D) store electrical energy in the form of chemical energy
25. In photoelectric effect, kmax denotes the kinetic energy of the most energetic electron emitted
from the target, when it is exposed to light of suitable frequency. kmax is independent of
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 23

(A) intensity of light falling in the target

(B) wavelength of light falling on the target
(C) frequency of light falling on the target
(D) work function of the metal
26. The stopping potential depends
(A) only on the energy of the incident photon
(B) only on the work function of the metal
(C) on the difference in the energy of the incident photon and the work function of the metal
(D) on the sum of energy of the incident photon and the work function of the metal
27. If λ is the wavelength and v is the wave number of a photon, then the energy of the photon is
given by
h
(A) hcv (B) h (C) hc (D)
c
28. When a light of wavelength 3100Å falls on a zinc plate, photoelectrons are emitted. In order to
increase the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, the
(A) intensity of radiation should be increased
(B) wavelength of radiation should be increased
(C) wavelength of radiation should be decreased
(D) intensity of radiation should be decreased
29. The plot of the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons against the frequency
(ν) of the incident radiation is a straight line. The slope of this graph is equal to the
(A) charge on the electron (B) work function of the emitter
(C) Planck constant (D) maximum kinetic energy of the electron
30. If Planck constant (h) and electronic charge (e) are not known, then the photoelectric effect
can be used to determine
(A) h only (B) e only (C) both h and e (D) (h/e) only
31. The work function of a metal is Q and the frequency of the incident light is ν. The condition for
which there will be no emission is
Q h Q h
(A) v  (B) v = v (D) v 
h Q h Q
32. In photoelectric experiment, when the potential difference between the target and collector is
varied, at a particular potential difference no electron reaches the collector. This potential
difference is called stopping potential (Vstop). Which equation best describes the relation
between the stopping potential and the work function?
h  h
(A) Vstop =    + (B) Vstop =    − 
e e e
h h 
(C) Vstop =    +  (D) Vstop =   f −
e e e
33. Which of the following graphs correctly represents the variation of maximum kinetic energy
(Emax) of the photoelectrons with the intensity of the incident radiation (keeping the frequency
constant)?
(A) (B)
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 24

(C) (D)

34. Which of the following graphs represents the correct variation of photoelectric current with
the intensity of incident radiation (neglecting the work function)?
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

35. Which of the following graphs shows the variation of photoelectric current (Ip) with the voltage
(V) applied across the electrodes of a photocell?
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

36. The work function of four metals A, B, C, and D are 7 eV, 9 eV, 2 eV, and 5 eV respectively.
When a light of fixed wavelength is shone on them, only one metal does not emit
photoelectrons. The odd metal is
(A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 25

37. Brad plotted the maximum kinetic energy of

the emitted photoelectrons against the
frequency (ν) of the incident radiation of a
particular alloy. The plot is shown in the
figure.

What is the work function of the alloy?

(A) (8/h) eV (B) (4/e) eV (C) 8 eV (D) 4 eV
38. Which of the following IV characteristics of a metal correctly represents Einstein’s
photoelectric effect?
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

39. Which theory relates the energy of the photon to the frequency of the light beam?
(A) Electromagnetic theory (B) Huygen’s theory
(C) Quantum theory of light (D) Wave theory of light
40. A quantum will have more energy when the
(A) wavelength is larger (B) frequency is higher
(C) velocity is higher (D) phase factor is zero
41. What is the rest mass of a photon?
(A) 1.67 × 10−31 kg (B) 9 × 10−31 kg
(C) Zero (D) 6.02 × 10−34 kg
42. If the energy of a photon is hv, then its mass is
h h
(A) 2 (B) (C) hc (D) 
c c
43. The mass of a photon of frequency ν is
(A) hv (B) hv/c (C) hv/c2 (D) zero

NUMERICAL PROBLEMS
44. What will be the kinetic energy of emitted electrons which just reach the collector after
crossing a potential difference of 3 V?
(A) 3 eV (B) 3 × 10−6 J (C) zero (D) 3 × 10−6 eV
45. Two photons of energy 1 eV and 2.5 eV fall on a metal of work function 0.5 eV. The maximum
kinetic energies will be in the ratio
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 26

(A) 1 : 4 (B) 4 : 1 (C) 1 : 2 (D) 2 : 1

46. The work functions of silver and cesium are 4.7 eV and 2.3 eV respectively. If the threshold
wavelength of cesium is 5 893Å, then the threshold wavelength of silver is
(A) 6332 Å (B) 3632 Å (C) 3362 Å (D) 2633 Å
47. The work functions of silver and potassium are 4.7 eV and 2.3 eV, respectively. If the threshold
wavelength of silver is 5 390Å, then the threshold wavelength of potassium will be
(A) 11 014 Å (B) 10121 Å (C) 9333 Å (D) 7182 Å
48. A light of wavelength 400 nm is incident on four surfaces having different work functions (as
listed in the given table).
Metal surface Work function (eV)

Sodium 2.36

Copper 4.53

Bismuth 4.34

Nickel 5.04

The phenomenon of photoelectric emission will take place from which surface?
(A) Sodium (B) Nickel
(C) Copper and sodium (D) Copper, bismuth, and nickel
49. Light is incident on a sodium foil and it is known that the work function of sodium is 2.5 eV.
What is the minimum frequency of the light which will make sodium foil emit photoelectrons?
(A) 2.353 × 1014 Hz (B) 3.702 × 1014 Hz
14
(C) 5.638 × 10 Hz (D) 6.024 × 1014 Hz
50. During a photoelectric experiment, a collector is placed in front of a target made of potassium
metal in order to collect the photoelectrons emitted. The minimum frequency of the incident
light at which the collector cup just collects the electron emitted is 5.4 × 10 14 Hz. What is the
work function of the potassium metal?
(A) 3.585 eV (B) 2.241 eV (C) 1.414 eV (D) 0.736 eV
51. The threshold wavelength of a tungsten cathode tube is 250Å. Its work function is
(A) 79.560 eV (B) 49.725 eV (C) 7.956 eV (D) 4.972 eV
52. Photons of energy 6 eV are incident on a metal surface whose work function is 2.1 eV. What is
the stopping potential?
(A) −8.1 V (B) −3.9 V (C) 3.9 V (D) 8.1 V
53. When radiation is incident on a particular photoelectric emitter, the stopping potential is
found to be 18 V. It is also given that e/m = 1.8 × 1011 C kg−1. The maximum velocity of the
ejected electrons is
(A) 2.545 × 106 m/s (B) 3.622 × 106 m/s
(C) 3.997 × 106 m/s (D) 4.184 × 106 m/s
54. A photon of frequency ν is incident on a metal surface of threshold frequency ν0. Assuming
h
that the rest mass of a photoelectron is m0 = 20 , the momentum of the photoelectron will
e
be
h h h (  0 +  ) h(  + 0 )
(A) 0 (B)  (  − 2 0 ) (C) 2
(D)
c c c c2
55. If the Planck constant is h, then the momentum of a photon of wavelength 0.001Å is
(A) 10−13 h (B) 10−3 h (C) 103 h (D) 1013 h
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 27

56. A hydrogen atom moving with a velocity of

2.5 m/s stops after absorbing a photon as
shown in the figure. The mass of the
hydrogen atom is 1.6 × 10−27 kg.

The wavelength of the photon is

(A) 880 Å (B) 1020 Å (C) 1450 Å (D) 1660 Å
−29
57. The momentum of a photon of an electromagnetic radiation is 2.65×10 kg m/ s. What is the
wavelength of the given radiation?
(A) 1.2×10−5 m (B) 2.5×10−5 m (C) 2.5×10−4 m (D) 1.2×10−4 m
58. The work function of gold is around 5.1 eV. When a ray of light is incident on a gold surface, a
photoelectron of frequency 2.1×1015 Hz is emitted from it. What is the kinetic energy of the
emitted photoelectron?
(A) 2.9×10−19 J (B) 3.4×10−19 J (C) 4.6×10−19 J (D) 5.7×10−19 J
59. A photon of wavelength 1.6 Å collides with an electron at rest. After collision, the wavelength
of the photon becomes 1.9 Å. With what approximate velocity does the electron scatter due to
the collision?
(A) 1 × 107 m/s (B) 2 × 107 m/s (C) 4 × 107 m/s (D) 8 × 107 m/s
60. Two identical metal pieces, tagged A and B, receive light of wavelength λA and λB respectively.
The maximum kinetic energies of the photoelectrons are kA and kB respectively. It is given that
λA = 2λB. What is the relation between kA and kB?
(A) 2kA = kB (B) kA = 2kB (C) 2kA < kB (D) kA > 2kB
61. A radiation of wavelength 170 nm falls on a metal sheet. The threshold wavelength of the
metal sheet is 295 nm. What is the maximum velocity of the emitted photoelectron?
(A) 61.92 m/s (B) 52.16 m/s (C) 46.78 m/s (D) 32.93 m/s
62. When the surface of a piece of silver is irradiated by waves of wavelength λ1 and λ2, the ratio
of the stopping potentials is found to be 2 : 1. What is the work function?
hc 2 1
(A) (B) hc  − 
1  2   2 1 
1 1 1 1
(C) hc  −  (D) 2hc  − 
  2 1   1  2 
63. A light of wavelength 5 000 Å falls on a metal whose work function is 2.350 eV. The maximum
possible kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is
(A) 0.125 eV (B) 0.250 eV (C) 0.500 eV (D) 1.000 eV
64. The given figure represents a cut-off voltage
graph with respect to the frequencies of
incident photons for a certain surface.

What is the value of Planck’s constant for the

given experiment?

(A) 6.3 ×10−34 Js

(B) 6.4 ×10−34 Js

(C) 6.5 ×10−34 Js

(D) 6.6 ×10−34 Js

 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 28

65. A photon of wavelength 200 nm is incident on a platinum sheet. Suppose a hypothetical

photoelectron emits from the surface. Work function of platinum is 5.65 eV. What is the
velocity of the emitted hypothetical photoelectron?
(A) 1.369×108 m/s (B) 2.146×109 m/s
10
(C) 4.347 × 10 m/s (D) 4.724 × 1012 m/s
66. An x-ray of unknown wavelength falls on a metal plate. The wavelength of the emitted photon
is found to be 0.099 nm. The work function of the metal is zero. The wavelength of the
incident x-ray is
(A) 0.01 nm (B) 3.56 nm (C) 6.98 nm (D) 8.07 nm
67. The photoelectrons emitted by a metal surface carry a maximum kinetic energy of 30 eV when
irradiated by a light of wavelength λ. When the same metal surface is irradiated by a light of
wavelength 2λ, the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is found to be 20 eV. The
wavelength (λ) is equal to
(A) 923.50 Å (B) 845.25 Å (C) 707.75 Å (D) 618.75 Å
68. In an experiment, the photoelectric effect of light is used to measure the wavelength of an
unknown light wave. It is found that when a light of wavelength 4000 Å falls on a metal
surface, the retarding potential is 0.6 V. When the unknown light wave falls on the same
surface, the retarding potential changes to 1.0 V. The wavelength of the unknown light wave is
(A) 3542 Å (B) 2574 Å (C) 1786 Å (D) 1181 Å
69. Jenny is conducting an experiment in which she Wavelength Corresponding
measures the stopping potential when lights of different (Å) stopping potential
wavelengths are shone on a metal. Her first two readings (V)
are given in the table. 3000 1.85
5000 0.8
According to the first two readings of Jenny, the value of Planck constant is
(A) 4.20 × 10−34 J/s (B) 4.00 × 10−34 J/s
(C) 1.10 × 10−34 J/s (D) 1.05 × 10−34 J/s
70. The kinetic energy of an electron emitted from surface M is 2.01 × 10−19 J and that emitted
from surface N is two-thirds of M. Wavelength of incident radiation is 450 nm. The ratio of the
work function of surface M to surface N is
(A) 0.78 (B) 0.98 (C) 1.494 (D) 1.913
71. A light of wavelength 402 nm is incident on a metal surface having work function 2.14 eV.
What is the stopping potential required for stopping the emission of photoelectrons from the
given surface?
(A) 0.644 V (B) 0.938 V (C) 1.203 V (D) 1.576 V
72. A light of frequency 11.3×1014 Hz is incident on a metal surface. The threshold frequency of
the surface is 6.5×1014 Hz. The cut-off voltage of photoelectric emission from the given surface
is
(A) 1.09 V (B) 1.98 V (C) 2.42 V (D) 2.96 V
73. The work function of silver is 4.52 eV. The wavelength of a light incident on a silver plate is
220 nm. What potential should be applied to the silver plate to stop the emission of electrons?
(A) 1.05 V (B) 1.20 V (C) 1.105 V (D) 1.255 V
74. The stopping potential required to stop the emission of photoelectrons emitting from an
aluminium foil is 2.8 V. The work function of aluminium is about 4.06 eV. What is the
wavelength of light incident on the foil?
(A) 1.8 × 10−7 m (B) 3.6 × 10−7 m (C) 5.2 × 10−7 m (D) 7.4 × 10−7 m
75. Gautam has conducted an experiment related to the photoelectric effect. By changing the
value of the accelerating potential (V) of the cathode of the experimental set-up, he has
measured the velocity (v) of photoelectrons. Also, he drew a graph of ln v versus ln V. The
curve of Gautam’s graph will be a straight line of slope
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 29

1 1
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) (D)
2 4
76. A sodium lamp emits light of mean wavelength 5893Å. The lamp is rated at 150 watt. There is
no loss of energy in the form of heat. For what duration should the lamp be on for it to
generate photons equal to the Avogadro’s number?
(A) 0.321 4 h (B) 0.376 4 h (C) 1.576 2 h (D) 1.664 9 h
77. The total number of photons emitted for a second by a 40 W bulb is 9×1020. What is the
wavelength of the light emitted from the bulb?
(A) 4.459×10−6 m (B) 6.521×10−6 m
(C) 7.234×10−6 m (D) 9.692×10−6 m
78. The energy flux of sunlight reaching the surface of the Earth is about 1.4 × 103 W/m2. A solar
cell of surface area 2.5 m2 generates 0.001 μV of electricity per photon in 1 h. Assume that the
average wavelength of the photons in sunlight is 500 nm. What is the amount of electricity
generated by a solar cell per second?
(A) 44 MV (B) 544 MV (C) 2445 MV (D) 4425 MV

WAVE NATURE OF MATTER

11.11 DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION

Different theories have been put forward at different times regarding the real nature of radiation
and light. In the latter half of the seventeenth century, Newton gave the 'corpuscular theory' of
light, according to which, light consists of tiny particles or corpuscles which are shot out by the
luminous body. This theory quite satisfactorily explained rectilinear propagation, reflection,
refraction etc. But it did not tackle the question as to how and why a candle light and a powerful arc
light should send the same corpuscles of the same energy with the same velocity.
Further, on refraction, this theory suggests that light should travel faster in the denser medium, and
slower in the rarer medium. This later on proved to be just the reverse. We now know that light
travels slower in the denser medium than in a rarer medium. And again reflection was explained on
the basis of repulsion of a light corpuscle by the reflecting surface while refraction was explained as
due to attraction by the refracting medium. Thus, a medium could either attract or repel the
corpuscle of light. But we all know that glass partially reflects and partially refracts light. How could
glass then attract as well as repel the light corpuscle simultaneously? To add to this confusion,
Newton himself discovered that a thin oil film on water shows various colours. This phenomenon
could not be explained on this theory. To cap it all, new phenomena of interference, diffraction,
polarisation etc., could never be explained on the basis of corpuscular theory.
A new theory by Christian Huygens was put forward. This was called the wave theory. An illuminated
body sends out a disturbance in the form of a wave in the space. Huygens assumed the existence of
a hypothetical medium ether, through which waves could pass. Later on, Maxwell modified the
concept by stating that light consists of electromagnetic waves requiring no material medium. All the
same, Maxwell's theory of light could explain rectilinear propagation, reflection, refraction etc., in
addition to phenomena like interference, diffraction, polarisation etc.
Thus, the wave theory held a firm ground till spectroscopy and photoelectricity came into picture.
Lines of the spectrum are possible only when an electron jumps from a higher energy level to a
lower energy level, releasing the difference of energy in the form of radiation of a definite frequency
in 'packets' or discrete units called quanta (Its singular is quantum.). Likewise a definite quantum of
light radiation, called photon, is falling on a surface to release an electron.
Thus, these and similar phenomena could never be explained on the basis of wave theory. The only
way we can explain these phenomena are by assuming that light really consists of packets of energy
called 'photons' having a definite frequency. So, we revert to the particle (corpuscle or quantum)
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 30

aspect of the nature of radiation or light. This caused a lot of confusion, whether radiation has a par-
ticle nature or a wave nature.
This confusion is resolved by the assumption that light has in fact a dual nature. In certain
experiments, it behaves only as particles and in certain others, it behaves only as waves. One thing is
certain that no experiment has ever been found in which light simultaneously behaves like both
particles and waves. It is either this or that; and never this and that aspect. This is known as the
Bohr's law of complimentarity of radiation.
At present, we reconcile ourselves to this dual aspect by asserting that when the radiation is
emitted, it is in quanta. When it is transmitted, it is in waves; and finally when it is absorbed, it is
again in quanta.

11.12 DUAL NATURE OF MATTER/MATTER WAVES

It is an established fact that radiation has a dual aspect behaving either as waves or as particles
under suitable circumstances. A particle having a finite mass has been supposed to be associated
with a definite amount of energy, given by Einstein in his mass-energy relationship, E = mc2, where E
is the energy associated with a particle of mass m, c being the velocity of light. On this basis, a wave
has a particle aspect.
In 1924, it was argued by de-Broglie that if radiation has a dual aspect, why not think of particles of
matter also as having this dual aspect? Nature loves symmetry and if mass-energy symmetry is
present for waves, then the same symmetry should be available for material particles. In simple
words, what we know as material particles (like electrons, protons, neutrons etc.) should also
behave like waves of a definite A, under suitable conditions. Thus, particles may also behave as
waves. This is the dual nature of matter. The waves which are associated with matter are called
matter waves or de-Broglie waves after the name of the French scientist who gave us this idea.
Experiments performed later on actually proved the duality of matter. We know that electrons are
particles having a discrete mass and moving with a definite velocity. Sometimes, these behave like
waves and produce diffraction patterns as was shown by Davisson and Germer; as also by Thomson.
Thus, the concept of de-Broglie waves is not merely the flight of fancy of a scientist but actually in
existence! So we accept this duality of matter, as we accept the duality of radiation. It has to be
noted that Bohr's law of complimentarity holds good here. This means that in no experiment, matter
exists both as a particle and as a wave simultaneously. It is either one or the other aspect and not
this and that aspect together! The two aspects (wave and particle) are complimentary to each other.

11.13 DE-BROGLIE WAVE EQUATION

According to Einstein relation of mass-energy equivalence,
E = mc2 _________
(1)
where m is the mass of the particle and c is the velocity of light.
Further, according to quantum theory,
_________
E = h (2)
where  is the frequency of radiation and 'h' is Planck's constant.
Combining (1) and (2), we get
E = h = mc2 _________
(3)
But c =  for waves. Thus, for a quantum of light (photon), we get
c
E = h. =mc2

h
(or) = _________
(4)
mc
The product of mass and velocity is the momentum p.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 31

h
 = _________
(5)
p
Thus, a quantum (particle) having a momentum p is associated with a wavelength, .
This relation was for a photon and it proved true experimentally. It now occurred to de-Broglie that
what is true for a photon, may also be true for a material particle of mass m moving with velocity v
(not c).
h
 = _________
(6)
mv
(Q p = mv)
This means that a material particle of mass m moving with a velocity v, can be considered as a wave
of length , given by the above relation. This is de-Broglie wave equation. It firmly establishes the
aspect of unity of matter; since the momentum p can be associated only with a particle, while  is
associated only with a wave.
UNDERSTANDING
1
(i)   i.e., if v = 0,  = .
v
Thus, the matter waves are associated with material particles only if they are in motion.
1
(ii)  .
m
Smaller the mass of the particle, higher is the wavelength associated with it.
1
(iii)   .
p
Larger the momentum of the particle, shorter is the wavelength.
(iv) Wavelength associated with a material particle is independent of the charge of the particle.

11.14 BOHR'S POSTULATE OF MOMENTUM OF STATIONARY NON-RADIATING ORBITS

This postulate gives the quantum condition that only such orbits are permitted in which the angular
momentum of the electron is a multiple of h/2. In mathematical language, for a permitted
nh
stationary orbit, the condition mvr = must be satisfied. Here, n is an integer known as the
2
principal quantum number. De-Broglie gave the theory that such permitted orbits can exist only
when the orbit's circumference equals an integral multiple of the wavelength of the electron.
There is a stationary wave system for the de-Broglie waves for an
electron in that orbit and the orbit must contain a whole number of
electron waves (Figure 11.17). Thus, in the diagram, we have a
permitted stationary orbit for an electron where n = 3. The whole
circumference of the orbit is equal to three complete waves of
wavelength  given by the de-Broglie relation. Thus in a permitted orbit,
we must have, 2r = n
Figure 11.17
h
De Broglie wavelength,  =
mv

h h
Equating we get, 2r = n or mvr = n
mv 2

This is the same condition as given by Bohr's quantum postulate. So, we note that the concept of de-
Broglie waves is fully reconciled with the observed quantum conditions of the Bohr's model of
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 32

hydrogen atom. Later experiments by Thomson and also by Davisson and Germer have conclusively
established the truth of the existence of de-Broglie waves in nature.

11.15 DE-BROGLIE WAVELENGTH OF AN ACCELERATED ELECTRON

Consider an electron accelerated through a potential difference of V volt. According to work-energy
1 
principle, work done (eV joule) on the electron must be equal to the gain of kinetic energy  mv2 
2 
of the electron.
1 2eV
 eV = mv 2 or v =
2 m
Now, de-Broglie wavelength associated with moving electron is given by:
h h h
= = =
mv 2eV 2mev
m
m
Putting, h = 6.62 × 10 Js, m = 9.1 × 10 kg and e = 1.6 × 10−19 C, we get
−34 −31

6.62  10−34
= m
2  9.1  10−31  1.6  10−19  V
12.27  10 −10
or = m
V
12.27
or = Å
V
Example 11.7 What is the de Broglie wavelength associated with (a) an electron moving with a
speed of 5.4 × 106 m/s, and (b) a ball of mass 150 g travelling at 30.0 m/s?

Solution (a) For the electron:

Mass m = 9.11 × 10–31 kg, speed v = 5.4 × 106 m/s. Then, momentum

p = m v = 9.11 × 10–31 (kg) × 5.4 × 106 (m/s)

p = 4.92 × 10–24 kg m/s

6.63  10−34 Js
de Broglie wavelength, λ = h/p =
4.92  10−24 kg m/ s

 = 0.135 nm

(b) For the ball:

Mass m’ = 0.150 kg, speed v ’ = 30.0 m/s.

Then momentum p’ = m’ v ’ = 0.150 (kg) × 30.0 (m/s)

p ’= 4.50 kg m/s

de Broglie wavelength ’ = h/p’.

 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 33

6.63  1034 Js
= = 1.47 × 10−34 m
4.50  kgm / s

The de Broglie wavelength of electron is comparable with X-ray wavelengths.

However, for the ball it is about 10–19 times the size of the proton, quite beyond
experimental measurement.

Example 11.8 An electron, an -particle, and a proton have the same kinetic energy. Which of
these particles has the shortest de Broglie wavelength?

Solution For a particle, de Broglie wavelength,  = h/p

Kinetic energy, K = p2/2m

Then,  = h/ 2mK

For the same kinetic energy K, the de Broglie wavelength associated with the
particle is inversely proportional to the square root of their masses. A proton
( H) is 1836 times massive than an electron and an -particle (
1
1
4
2 He ) four times
that of a proton.

Hence,  – particle has the shortest de Broglie wavelength.

Example 11.9 A particle is moving three times as fast as an electron. The ratio of the de Broglie
wavelength of the particle to that of the electron is 1.813 × 10–4. Calculate the
particle’s mass and identify the particle.

Solution de Broglie wavelength of a moving particle, having mass m and velocity v:

h h
= =
p m

Mass, m = h/

For an electron, mass me = h/e ve

Now, we have v/ve = 3 and

/e = 1.813 × 10–4

    
Then, mass of the particle, m = me  e  e 
    

m = (9.11 × 10–31 kg) × (1/3) × (1/1.813 × 10–4)

m = 1.675 × 10–27 kg.

Thus, the particle, with this mass could be a proton or a neutron.

 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 34

Example 11.10 What is the de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron, accelerated
through a potential difference of 100 volts?

Solution Accelerating potential V = 100 V. The de Broglie wavelength  is

1.227 1.227
 = h/p = nm ;  = nm = 0.123nm
V 100

The de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron in this case is of the order
of X-ray wavelengths.

Example 11.11 The wavelength  of a photon and the de-Broglie wavelength of an electron have
2mc
the same value. Show that the energy of the photon is times the kinetic
h
energy of the electron, where m, c and h have their usual meanings.

1 1 m2 v2 1 h2  h 
Solution K.E of electron, EK = mv2 = = Q  = mv 
2 2 m 2 m2

hc E hc /  2mc
Energy of a photon, E =  = =
 Ek 1 h2 h
2 m 2

2mc 2mc
or E= EK =  K.E of electron
h h

11.16 DAVISSON AND GERMER EXPERIMENT

PRINCIPLE
This experiment, performed by Davisson and Germer, is the first experimental proof of the wave
nature of material particles. This experiment is based on the scattering of a beam of electrons by
nickel crystal. The de-Broglie wavelength for an electron is less than 1 Å. This is too small to be used
with ordinary diffraction gratings that we use in the case of light. A crystal lattice in which the atomic
distances between layers are of the order of 1Å is ideal for the purpose of studying the diffraction of
electron waves.
EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 35

The experimental set-up is given in a sketch form in Figure

11.18. A nickel crystal C is taken. Electrons are made
incident on it as a narrow beam. The incident electrons are
produced by an electron gun G. The gun consists of a
tungsten filament F which is connected to a low tension
battery. Electrons emitted from the filament F are made to
pass through pin-holes under suitable accelerating
potentials. The accelerating potential is provided with the
help of a high-tension battery. Ordinarily, we get an
electron beam of energy 50 eV from the gun.

The incident beam of electrons is made to fall normally on

the crystal. The beam is diffracted by the crystal and Figure: 11.18
received at an angle  by a detector D. The intensity of the
diffracted electrons is measured by the detector as a
function of angle .

In the original experiment, the detector was set at an angle of 50° to the
direction of the incident beam. The scattered electron current for
different values of voltage V was noted. The graph between the voltage
and the detector current is as shown in Fig. 11.19. The existence of peak
in the graph can be explained as due to constructive interference of
waves scattered from atoms in different planes of the crystal. The peak
occurs at 54 V. The observed phenomenon is similar to the diffraction of
X-rays. So, it establishes the wave nature of electrons. Figure: 11.19

It has been observed that the scattered electron current (or detector current) is maximum when the
following relation given by Bragg for X-ray diffraction is satisfied.
2d sin  = n
where n is the order of diffraction, d is the atomic spacing between successive crystal planes and  is
the angle at which strong reflection takes place.
The value of d, as determined by X-ray reflection by nickel crystal, comes out to be 0.91 Å. The value
of  comes out to be 65°.
For n = 1,  = 2 d sin 
___________
= 2 × 0.91 × sin 65° = 1.65 Å (1)
h
We know that =
2meV
In the given experiment, V = 54 volt
6.63  10 −34
= =1.67 Å ___________
(2)
( )
−31 −19 1/2
2  9  10  1.6  10  54
It is clear from (1) and (2) that the wavelength determined by two different methods comes out to
be the same. This confirms that the electrons are diffracted in the same way as de-Broglie waves.
11.17 THOMSON'S EXPERIMENT ON ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
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Thomson obtained diffraction pattern by

passing an electron beam through a thin metal
foil. The experimental arrangement employed
by him is sketched in Figure 11.20.

A beam of electrons obtained from an electron

gun is made to fall normally on a thin platinum
foil. The foil is nearly 10−8 m thick. The foil can
also be of aluminium or gold. A photographic
plate is placed behind the foil. Diffraction
pattern in the form of concentric rings is
obtained on the photographic plate. These
Figure 11.20
rings are clearly due to the diffraction of waves
(associated with electrons).

This is because of the randomly oriented crystals in the foil. Knowing the geometry of the apparatus,
the voltage used to accelerate the electron beam and the diameter of the electron diffraction rings,
the wavelength associated with the beam of electrons can be determined. It will be noted that the
experimentally determined value of wavelength will be very close to the theoretically calculated
(from de-Broglie equation) value of wavelength. Thus, de-Broglie hypothesis of matter waves stands
verified experimentally.
If, in the above experimental arrangement, we use X-rays in place of the electron beam and an
amorphous solid in place of a foil, we will get diffraction rings similar to the one obtained with
electron beam

11.18 DE-BROGLIE WAVES ASSOCIATED WITH ATOMS AND MOLECULES

It is not necessary to stick only to electrons to establish the truth of de-Broglie waves. In fact,
de-Broglie's hypothesis is valid for all moving mass particles.
Eastermann and Stern were the first to show diffraction of atoms and molecules by crystals. They
repeated Davisson and Germer experiment with helium as well as hydrogen molecules using crystals
of lithium fluoride and sodium chloride. The beam of helium molecules from a high temperature
source was made incident on a crystal of lithium fluoride in vacuum. The beam got diffracted at
various angles. The maximum intensity was obtained at angle  given by
2 d sin  = n
The de-Broglie wavelength of helium molecule was calculated. An excellent agreement was noted
between the observed and calculated values
A similar experiment was performed by Johnson. A beam of hydrogen atoms was scattered by a
crystal of lithium fluoride. The scattered beam was made incident on a plate coated with
molybdenum oxide. When struck by hydrogen, the oxide got reduced to molybdenum. Thus, a
diffraction pattern was obtained. It was found to be in accordance with de-Broglie hypothesis.
We can conclude from the above discussion that just as radiation has dual nature, particles of matter
also possess a dual nature. Of course, both the aspects (particle and wave) are never exhibited
simultaneously. Depending upon the experiment, it is either one aspect or another. Neither a
photon nor a particle of matter show both wave and particle behaviour simultaneously in the same
experiment. This is called Bohr's principle of complimentarity.

11.19 ELEMENTARY IDEA OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

The wavelength of de-Broglie waves associated with an electron is given by
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 37

h
=
2meV
Substituting the values of h, m and e, we get
12.3
= Å
V
where V is the voltage through which an electron is accelerated. If an electron has an energy of 300
eV, i.e., it is accelerated through a potential difference of 300 volt, then
12.3
= Å = 0.71Å
300
Resolving power is the ability of an instrument to show as separate two lines which are otherwise so
close that they appear as one to the naked eye. Smaller the wavelength, greater is the resolving
power. An ordinary optical microscope uses visible radiation of wavelength 6000 Å. If somehow we
could use electrons and accelerate them so that we get de-Broglie waves of small wavelength, then
the resolving power and also the magnifying power of the instrument will be greatly increased. Thus,
an electron microscope has been devised and put to practical use. This is one of the best proofs of
the truth of the existence of de-Broglie waves. Also, it is one of the best applications of matter
waves.
Accelerating the electron through a high
potential difference will further reduce the
wavelength and increase the utility of the
instrument. However, a proper focussing of
these beams is not that easy. In ordinary optical
microscope, the focussing is done with the help
of suitable lenses. In an electron microscope, the
beam is focused by specially adjusted electric
and/or magnetic fields. The operational sketch of
an electron microscope along with an optical
microscope for the sake of comparison is shown
in Figure. 11.21

The electron beam emitted by the filament is

accelerated through a large potential difference
in an electron gun. The electron beam emerging
out of the gun is made to pass through the
centre of an electromagnet. The electrons get Figure 11.21 (i) Electron microscope (ii) Optical
deflected into a parallel beam which is made to microscope
fall on the object to be magnified. It is essential
that the object should be thin so that electrons
may pass through it.

More electrons will be transmitted through the 'transparents' of the object while less number of
electrons will pass through comparatively denser portions. The second electromagnet causes the
beam to diverge thereby producing enlarged image of the object. A third electromagnet can be used
to focus a still larger image. This image can also be obtained on a photographic plate for permanent
record.
In order to get sharp focussing, the intensity of magnetic fields produced by electromagnets is
adjusted. In order to examine in detail some parts of the object, a fine micro-movement can be given
to the object.
The whole arrangement is mounted in a highly evacuated glass tube.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 38

An electron microscope can magnify an object 100,000 times with sufficiently adequate resolving
power.
Uses. An electron microscope is an extremely useful tool for scientific research. In industry, it is used
to study the structure of fibres, paper and plastics. In medical science, it is used to study viruses and
the structural details of Bacteria.

QU I CK REV I EW OF F ORM U LA QRF 11.2

Formula used.

1. Energy of a photon, E = h = hc/

2. De-Broglie wavelength,  = h/mv

Units used.

E in Joule, h is Js, c or v in ms−1, m in kg and  in m.

F OR M A T I V E C A P S U L E FC 11.2
CONCEPTUAL QUESTONS
1. Why is the wave nature of matter not noticeable in our daily observations?
2. What led de-Broglie to think that the material particles may also show wave nature?
3. What is the difference between light waves and matter waves?
4. Crystal diffraction can be studied by electron diffraction as well as by neutron diffraction.
What should be the ratio of the velocities of electron and neutron for the de-Broglie
wavelength to be the same?
5. How can you connect de-Broglie wave concept with Bohr's postulate: "Angular momentum is
h
an integral multiple of ”?
2
6. "de-Broglie hypothesis supports the Bohr's model of stationary orbits." Comment on this
statement.
7. In an accelerator experiment on high energy collisions of electrons with positrons, a certain
event is interpreted as annihilation of an electron-positron pair of total energy 10.2 BeV into
two -rays of equal energy. What is the wavelength associated with each -ray?
Given: 1 BeV = 109 eV.
8. The extent of localisation of a particle is determined roughly by its de-Broglie wavelength. If an
electron is localised within the nucleus (of size about 10−14m) of an atom, what is its energy ?
Compare this energy with the typical binding energies (of the order of a few MeV) in a nucleus,
and hence argue why electrons cannot reside in a nucleus.
9. Why a fast neutron beam needs to be thermalised with the environment, before it can be used
for neutron diffraction experiments?
10. The energy and momentum of an electron are related to the frequency and wavelength of the
h
associated matter wave by the relations: E= h, p = . But while the value of  is physically

significant, the value of  (and therefore the value of the phase speed ) has no physical
significance. Why?
11. The wavelength of a probe is roughly a measure of the size of a structure that it can probe in
some detail. The quark structure of protons and neutrons appears at the minute length scale
of 10−15 m or less. This structure was first probed in early 1970's using high energy electron
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 39

beams produced by a linear Accelerator at Stanford, USA. Guess what might have been the
order of energy of these electron beams? (Rest mass energy of electron = 0.511 MeV).
12. Is there any difference between the wavelength of the radiation and the de-Broglie
wavelength of a photon of that radiation?
13. Which photon is more energetic—violet or red?
14. “A photon of energy 6 × 10−20 J has linear momentum 2 × 10−30 kg m s−1”. Is this statement
correct?
15. A 200g cricket ball is thrown with a speed of 3 × 103 cm/sec, what will be its de Broglie
wavelength?
16. If wavelength of photon is 2.2×10−11m, h = 6.6×10−34Js, then find momentum of photon .
17. Two particles A and B are in motion. If the wavelength associated with the particle A is
5.0 × 10−8m, then find the wavelength of particle B having momentum half of A .
18. A particle A moving with a certain velocity has a de Broglie wavelength of 1Å. If particle B has
mass 25% of that A and velocity 75% of that of A, then find the approximate de Broglie
wavelength of B.
19. Calculate the momentum of electrons if their wavelength is 2 Å. Given: h=6.626 × 10−34J s and
m = 9.1 × 10−31 kg.
20. Estimate de-Broglie wavelength in nm associated with a rubber ball of mass 66 g moving with
a speed of 2.5 × 105 m s−1. Given: h = 6.6 × 10−34 J s.
21. Calculate the de-Broglie wavelength for electrons and protons if their speed is 105 m s−1.
22. Obtain the de-Broglie wavelength of a neutron of kinetic energy 150 eV. An electron beam of
this energy is suitable for crystal diffraction experiments. Would a neutron beam of the same
energy be equally suitable? Explain. Given: mass of neutron=1.675 × 10−27 kg, h = 6.63 ×10−34
Js.
23. The de-Broglie wavelength of a particle of kinetic energy K is . What would be the wavelength
K
of K the particle if its kinetic energy were ?
4
24. What will be de-Broglie wavelength of an electron having kinetic energy of 500 eV. Given h=
6.6 × 10−34 Js, e = 1.6 × 10−19 C, me = 9.11 × 10−31 kg.
25. The mass of an electron is 9.1 × 10−31 kg. If it is K.E. is 3.0 × 10−25 J, calculate its wavelength.
26. If the velocity of the electron in Bohr’s first orbit is 2.19 × 106 ms–1, calculate the de Broglie
wavelength associated with it.
27. A neutron is an uncharged particle of mass 1.67 × 10−27 kg. Calculate the de-Broglie
wavelength of the neutron moving with a velocity such that kinetic energy is 0.04 eV.
Given: h = 6.6 × 10−34 J s.
28. Find de-Broglie wavelength of neutron at 127°C. Given Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38 × 10−23 J
mole−1K−1, h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js, mass of neutron = 1.66 × 10−27 kg.
29. Calculate the mass of a photon with wavelength 3.6Å.
30. Calculate the wavelength of an electron moving with a velocity of 2.05 × 107 ms–1.
31. At 200°C, the velocity of hydrogen molecule is 2.0 × 105 cm/sec. In this case find the de Broglie
wavelength in Å.
32. A proton and an electron have same de-Broglie wavelength. Which of them moves faster and
which possesses more kinetic energy? Justify your answer.
33. An electron and a photon have the same de-Broglie wavelength of 10−10m. Which of the two
has greater kinetic energy?
34. An electron and a photon have got the same de-Broglie wavelength. Which of the two has
greater 'total energy'?
35. Find de-Broglie wavelength of neutron at 127°C. Given Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38 × 10−23 J
mole−1K−1, h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js, mass of neutron = 1.66 × 10−27 kg.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 40

36. X –rays of wavelength 0.82 Å fall on a metal plate. Find the wavelength associated with
photoelectron emitted. Neglect work function of the metal. Given h = 6.6 × 10 −34 Js;
c = 3 × 108 ms−1
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS
37. An electron and photon each have a wavelength 1.00 nm. Find (i) their momenta (ii) the
energy of the photon and (iii) the kinetic energy of electron.
Given h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js; c = 3 × 108 m/s
38. What is the de-Broglie wavelength associated with an electron accelerated through a potential
difference of 144 volt?
39. The de-Broglie wavelength associated with a material particle when it is accelerated through a
potential difference of 150 V is 1 Å. What will be the de-Broglie wavelength associated with
the same particle when it is accelerated through a potential difference of 1350 V?
40. A neutron is an uncharged particle of mass 1.67×10−27 kg. Calculate the de-Broglie wavelength
of the neutron moving with a velocity, such that K.E. is 0 04 eV, h = 6.6 × 10−34Js.
41. An -particle and a proton are accelerated from rest through the same potential difference V.
Find the ratio of de-Broglie wavelength associated with them.
42. The wavelength of a photon is 1.4 Å. It collides with an electron. Its wavelength after collision
is 4 Å. Calculate the energy of scattered electron, h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.
43. Find the energy that should be added to an electron of energy 2 eV to reduce its de-Broglie
wavelength from 1 nm to 0.5 nm.
44. The de-Broglie wavelength associated with proton changes by 0.25%. If its momentum is
changed by 9 × 10−26 kg ms−1, find the initial momentum of electron.
45. An -particle and a proton are accelerated from rest through the same potential difference V.
Find the ratio of de-Broglie wavelengths associated with them.
46. An electron microscope uses electrons accelerated by a voltage of 50 kV. Determine the de
Broglie wavelength associated with the electrons. If other factors such as numerical aperture
etc. are taken to be roughly the same, how does the resolving power of an electron
microscope compare with that of an optical microscope which uses yellow light?
Given: wavelength of yellow light = 5990 Å.

P R A CT I C E C A P S U L E PC 11.2
1. What is the wavelength associated with an electron moving with a velocity of 106m/s?
(Given h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js and m = 9.11 × 10−31 kg)
(A) 72.7 nm (B) 0.727 nm (C) 7.27 nm (D) None
2. An electron moving with velocity ‘v’ is found to have a certain value of de-Broglie wave length.
The velocity to be possessed by the neutron to have the same de-Broglie wave length is
1840 v
(A) (B) 1840 v (C) (D) v
v 1840
3. If the Planck’s constant h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js, then the de Broglie wavelength of a particle having
momentum of 3.3 × 10−24 kg ms−1 will be
(A) 0.002Å (B) 0.5Å (C) 2Å (D) 500Å
4. For the de-Broglie wavelength of 10−17 meter, momentum of a particle will be
(A) 13.25 × 10−17 kg ms−1 (B) 26.5 × 10−17 kg ms−1
−17 −1
(C) 6.625 × 10 kg ms (D) 3.3125 × 10−17 kg ms−1
5. The wavelength associated with a golf ball weighing 200g and moving at a speed of 5m/h is of
the order
(A) 10−10 m (B) 10−20 m (C) 10−30 m (D) 10−40 m
6. The de Broglie wavelength of an electron is 66 nm. The velocity of the electron is
(h = 6.6 × 10−34 kgm2s−1 m = 9.0 × 10−31kg)
(A) 1.84 × 10−14 ms−1 (B) 1.1 × 104 ms−1
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 41

(C) 5.4 × 103 ms−1 (D) 1.1 × 103 ms−1

7. The momentum of a particle associated with de Broglie’s wave length of 6Å is

(A) 1.1 × 10−24 kg ms−1 (B) 1.1 × 1034 ms−1
(C) 39.6 × 10−34kg ms−1 (D) 39.6 × 10−24kg ms−1
8. If 1 and 2 denote the de-Broglie wavelength of two particles with same masses but charges
in the ratio of 1 : 2 after they are accelerated from rest through the same potential difference,
then
(A) 1 = 2 (B) 1 < 2
(C) 1 > 2 (D) None of these
9. The velocity of electron of H-atom in its ground state is . The de-Broglie wavelength of this
electron would be
(A)0.33 nm (B)23.3 nm (C)45.6 nm (D)100 nm.
10. The wavelength associated with a golf ball weighing 200 g and moving at a speed of 5 m/h is
of the order
(A) 10−10m (B) 10−20 m (C) 10−30 m (D) 10−40m
11. An electron is moving around a hydrogen atom. From the wave perspective, the electron will
be a
(A) standing wave (B) progressive wave
(C) pulse (D) transverse wave
12. An electron and a proton are traveling in space with the same momentum. The de-Broglie
wavelengths will be
(A) the same for both of them
(B) greater for the electron
(C) greater for the proton as its mass is more than the mass of the electron
(D) dependent on the nature of the medium they are moving through
13. A photon and a proton have the same wavelength. Which of the following quantities will be
the same for both of them?
(A) Mass (B) Momentum
(C) Velocity (D) Kinetic energy
14. The de Broglie wavelength of an electron accelerated by a potential difference of V volt is λ. If
the potential is increased by a factor of 16, then the wavelength will become
(A) 1/16 times the initial wavelength (B) 1/4 times the initial wavelength
(C) double the initial wavelength (D) 16 times the initial wavelength
15. In an experiment, it is found that the wavelength of a proton is twice the wavelength of an
electron propagating in the same medium. It can be said that the
(A) electron and the proton have the same kinetic energy
(B) energy of the proton is twice the energy of the electron
(C) electron and the proton have the same momentum
(D) momentum of the proton is half the momentum of the electron
16. A helium molecule is confined in a room. If the temperature is T and mass of the molecule is
m, then its de Broglie wavelength is
h h h h
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3mkT 2mkT 2mkT 4mT
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17. Which of the following graphs represents the variation of the momentum of a particle and the
associated de Broglie wavelength?
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

18. According to the quantum theory, a material particle is associated with

(A) a single wave (B) the wave packet (C) two progressive waves (D) a pulse
19. According to de Broglie, a moving particle is associated with a wave. The group velocity of the
wave is equal to the
(A) velocity of light (B) velocity of sound
(C) velocity of the particle (D) square of the speed of the particle
20. A small particle of mass 10 kg is moving with a velocity of 105 m/s. The wavelength of the
−31

particle is
(A) 660 Å (B) 0.06 Å (C) 66 Å (D) 6.6 Å
21. An electron and a proton are accelerated through the same potential difference. The ratio of
 e 
their wavelengths   is
 p 
me mp mp
(A) (B) (C) (D) 1
mp me me
22. The de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron having a kinetic energy E is
proportional to
(A) E1/2 (B) E−1/2 (C) E (D) E−1
23. Which of the following statements regarding matter waves is true?
(A) Matter waves display both wave and particle property at the same time.
(B) Matter waves are area transverse waves.
(C) Matter waves are virtual waves that are used for theoretical modeling.
(D) Matter waves exhibit diffraction.
24. An electron microscope uses 40 keV electrons. The resolving limit of the microscope is of the
order of the wavelength of the electron beam. The maximum resolving power of the
microscope is
(A) 0.025Å (B) 0.061Å (C) 0.25Å (D) 0.61Å
25. If an electron is moving with a kinetic energy k, then its de Broglie wavelength is
h h h
(A) (B) (C) (D) 2mk
2mk mk 2k
26. An electron is accelerated through a potential difference V. The de-Broglie wavelength
associated with the electron is . Then, the accelerating potential is increased to 9V. Hence,
its de-Broglie wavelength gets changed. The new de-Broglie wavelength of the electron is
 
(A) 9 (B) 3 (C) (D)
3 9
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27. What is the de-Broglie wavelength of a neutron at temperature 27°C?

(A) 1.05 ×10−10 m (B) 1.45 × 10−10 m (C) 2.81×10−10 m (D) 3.42×10−10 m
28. A hydrogen molecule is accelerating with a speed of 4×103 m/s through a potential difference.
What is the potential difference through which the hydrogen molecule is accelerating?
(A) 491 V (B) 529 V (C) 617 V (D) 752 V
7
29. An electron is traveling with a speed of 2.6×10 m/s. The de-Broglie wavelength associated
with the electron is
(A) 1.24×10−11m (B) 1.82×10−11m (C) 2.68×10−11m (D) 2.84×10−11m
30. The kinetic energy of an electron gets tripled, then the de Broglie wavelength associated with
it changes by a factor
1 1
(A) (B) 3 (C) (D) 3
3 3

S N A P S H OT
1. Free electrons in metals. These are loosely bound electrons of the atoms, which can move
freely within the metal surface but cannot leave the metal surface at room temperature.
2. Work function of metal. It is the minimum energy required by an electron to just escape from
the metal surface as to overcome the restraining forces at the surface of metal. Work function
of a metal is generally denoted by 0 and it is usually expressed in electron volt (eV).
3. Electron emission. It is the phenomenon of emission of electrons from the surface of a metal.
The electron emission can be obtained from the following processes:
(i) Thermionic emission (ii) Photoelectric emission (iii) Field emission, and (iv) secondary
emission.
4. Photoelectric effect. It is the phenomenon of emission of electrons from the surface of metals,
when light radiations of suitable frequency fall on them. The emitted electrons are called
photo- electrons and the current so produced is called photoelectric current. Alkali metals; like
lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium etc. show photoelectric effect with visible light, whereas
metals like zinc, cadmium, magnesium etc. are sensitive only to ultra-violet light for
photoelectric effect.
5. Laws of photoelectric emission
(1) For a given metal and frequency of radiation, the number of photoelectrons ejected is
directly proportional to the intensity of the incident light. (2) For a given metal, there exists a
certain minimum frequency of the incident radiation below which no emission of
photoelectrons takes place. This frequency is called threshold frequency. (3) Above the
threshold frequency, the maximum K.E. of the emitted photoelectrons is independent of the
intensity of the incident light but depends upon the frequency (or wavelength) of the incident
light (4) The photoelectric emission is an instantaneous process.
1 2
6. Einstein's photoelectric equation is mv = h − 0 = h − h0 = h( - 0)
2
where  is the frequency of the incident photons, 0 is the threshold frequency of metal, v is
the velocity of ejected photo-electron from the metal surface and m is the mass of photo-
electron.
7. Cut off potential or stopping potential. It is that minimum negative potential given to anode
in a photocell for which the photo-electric current becomes zero. It is denoted by V0.
The value of stopping potential is different for different metals but is independent of the
intensity of the incident light.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 44

8. Photoelectric cell. It is a device which converts light energy into electrical energy.
Photoelectric cells are of three types: (i) Photo emissive cell (ii) Photo voltaic cell (iii) Photo
conductive cell.

9. Photons. These are the packets of energy (or energy particles) which are emitted by a source
of radiation. They travel in a straight line. The energy of a photon, E = h = hc/k. The photons
emitted from a source, travel through space with the same speed (equal to the speed of light).
The frequency of a photon does not change when it travels through different medium but its
wavelength changes in different medium as the velocity of a photon in different media is
different. The rest mass of photon is zero. Its momentum is h/c or h/.

10. Dual nature of matter. Since radiation has dual nature i.e. it possesses properties of both;
wave and particles and universe is composed of radiation and matter, therefore de-Broglie
concluded that the matter must also possess dual nature, since nature loves symmetry.

11. De-Broglie hypothesis. According to de-Broglie, a moving material particle sometimes acts as
a wave and sometimes as a particle or a wave is associated with a moving material particle
which controls the particle in every respect. The wave associated with moving material particle
is called matter wave or de-Broglie wave, whose wavelength is given by,  = h/mv where m is
the mass of the particle moving with velocity v and h is Planck's constant. De-Broglie
wavelength associated with electron accelerated under a potential difference V volt is given by
12.27Å
=
V

The wave nature of electron i.e. de-Broglie hypothesis was established experimentally by
Davisson and Germer in 1927 for slow electrons and by G.P. Thomson for fast electrons.

N CE RT E X E R C I S E NE 
1. Find the (a) maximum frequency, and (b) minimum wavelength of X-rays produced by 30 kV
electrons.
2. The work function of cesium metal is 2.14 eV. When light of frequency 6 ×1014 Hz is incident
on the metal surface, photoemission of electrons occurs. What is the
(a) maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons,
(b) Stopping potential, and
(c) maximum speed of the emitted photoelectrons?
3. The photoelectric cut-off voltage in a certain experiment is 1.5 V. What is the maximum
kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted?
4. Monochromatic light of wavelength 632.8 nm is produced by a helium-neon laser. The
power emitted is 9.42 mW.
(a) Find the energy and momentum of each photon in the light beam,
(b) How many photons per second, on the average, arrive at a target irradiated by this
beam? (Assume the beam to have uniform cross-section which is less than the target area),
and
(c) How fast does a hydrogen atom have to travel in order to have the same momentum as
that of the photon?
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 45

5. The energy flux of sunlight reaching the surface of the earth is 1.388 × 103 W/m2. How many
photons (nearly) per square metre are incident on the Earth per second? Assume that the
photons in the sunlight have an average wavelength of 550 nm.
6. In an experiment on photoelectric effect, the slope of the cut-off voltage versus frequency of
incident light is found to be 4.12 × 10−15 V s. Calculate the value of Planck’s constant.
7. A 100 W sodium lamp radiates energy uniformly in all directions. The lamp is located at the
centre of a large sphere that absorbs all the sodium light which is incident on it. The
wavelength of the sodium light is 589 nm. (a) What is the energy per photon associated with
the sodium light? (b) At what rate are the photons delivered to the sphere?
8. The threshold frequency for a certain metal is 3.3 × 1014 Hz. If light of frequency 8.2 × 1014 Hz
is incident on the metal, predict the cutoff voltage for the photoelectric emission.
9. The work function for a certain metal is 4.2 eV. Will this metal give photoelectric emission
for incident radiation of wavelength 330 nm?
10. Light of frequency 7.21 × 1014 Hz is incident on a metal surface. Electrons with a maximum
speed of 6.0 × 105 m/s are ejected from the surface. What is the threshold frequency for
photoemission of electrons?
11. Light of wavelength 488 nm is produced by an argon laser which is used in the photoelectric
effect. When light from this spectral line is incident on the emitter, the stopping (cut-off)
potential of photoelectrons is 0.38 V. Find the work function of the material from which the
emitter is made.
12. Calculate the (a) momentum, and (b) de Broglie wavelength of the electrons accelerated
through a potential difference of 56 V.
13. What is the (a) momentum, (b) speed, and (c) de Broglie wavelength of an electron with
kinetic energy of 120 eV.
14. The wavelength of light from the spectral emission line of sodium is 589 nm. Find the kinetic
energy at which
(a) an electron, and
(b) a neutron, would have the same de Broglie wavelength.
15. What is the de Broglie wavelength of
(a) a bullet of mass 0.040 kg travelling at the speed of 1.0 km/s,
(b) a ball of mass 0.060 kg moving at a speed of 1.0 m/s, and
(c) a dust particle of mass 1.0 × 10−9 kg drifting with a speed of 2.2 m/s?
16. An electron and a photon each have a wavelength of 1.00 nm. Find
(a) their momenta,
(b) the energy of the photon, and
(c) the kinetic energy of electron.
17. (a) For what kinetic energy of a neutron will the associated de Broglie wavelength be
1.40 × 10−10 m?
(b) Also find the de Broglie wavelength of a neutron, in thermal equilibrium with matter,
having an average kinetic energy of (3/2) kT at 300 K.
18. Show that the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is equal to the de Broglie wavelength
of its quantum (photon).
19. What is the de Broglie wavelength of a nitrogen molecule in air at 300 K? Assume that the
molecule is moving with the root-mean square speed of molecules at this temperature.
(Atomic mass of nitrogen = 14.0076 u)
20. (a) Estimate the speed with which electrons emitted from a heated emitter of an evacuated
tube impinge on the collector maintained at a potential difference of 500 V with respect to
the emitter. Ignore the small initial speeds of the electrons. The specific charge of the
electron, i.e., its e/m is given to be 1.76 × 1011 C kg−1.
(b) Use the same formula you employ in (a) to obtain electron speed for an collector
potential of 10 MV. Do you see what is wrong? In what way is the formula to be modified?
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 46

21. (a) A mono energetic electron beam with electron speed of 5.20 × 10 6 m s−1 is subject to a
magnetic field of 1.30 × 10−4 T normal to the beam velocity. What is the radius of the circle
traced by the beam, given e/m for electron equals 1.76 × 1011 C kg−1.
(b) Is the formula you employ in (a) valid for calculating radius of the path of a 20 MeV
electron beam? If not, in what way is it modified?
22. An electron gun with its collector at a potential of 100 V fires out electrons in a spherical
bulb containing hydrogen gas at low pressure (∼10−2 mm of Hg). A magnetic field of 2.83 ×
10−4 T curves the path of the electrons in a circular orbit of radius 12.0 cm. (The path can be
viewed because the gas ions in the path focus the beam by attracting electrons, and emitting
light by electron capture; this method is known as the ‘fine beam tube’ method. Determine
e/m from the data.
23. (a) An X-ray tube produces a continuous spectrum of radiation with its short wavelength end
at 0.45 Å. What is the maximum energy of a photon in the radiation?
(b) From your answer to (a), guess what order of accelerating voltage (for electrons) is
required in such a tube?
24. In an accelerator experiment on high-energy collisions of electrons with positrons, a certain
event is interpreted as annihilation of an electron-positron pair of total energy 10.2 BeV into
two -rays of equal energy. What is the wavelength associated with each -ray? (1BeV = 109
eV)
25. Estimating the following two numbers should be interesting. The first number will tell you
why radio engineers do not need to worry much about photons! The second number tells
you why our eye can never ‘count photons’, even in barely detectable light.
(a) The number of photons emitted per second by a Medium wave transmitter of 10 kW
power, emitting radio waves of wavelength 500 m.
(b) The number of photons entering the pupil of our eye per second corresponding to the
minimum intensity of white light that we humans can perceive (∼10−10 W m−2). Take the area
of the pupil to be about 0.4 cm2, and the average frequency of white light to be about 6 ×
1014 Hz.
26. Ultraviolet light of wavelength 2271 Å from a 100 W mercury source irradiates a photo-cell
made of molybdenum metal. If the stopping potential is −1.3 V, estimate the work function
of the metal. How would the photo-cell respond to a high intensity (∼105 W m−2) red light of
wavelength 6328 Å produced by a He-Ne laser?
27. Monochromatic radiation of wavelength 640.2 nm (1nm = 10−9 m) from a neon lamp
irradiates photosensitive material made of cesium on tungsten. The stopping voltage is
measured to be 0.54 V. The source is replaced by an iron source and its 427.2 nm line
irradiates the same photo-cell. Predict the new stopping voltage.
28. A mercury lamp is a convenient source for studying frequency dependence of photoelectric
emission, since it gives a number of spectral lines ranging from the UV to the red end of the
visible spectrum. In our experiment with rubidium photo-cell, the following lines from a
mercury source were used:
1 = 3650 Å, 2= 4047 Å, 3= 4358 Å, 4= 5461 Å, 5= 6907 Å,
The stopping voltages, respectively, were measured to be:
V01 = 1.28 V, V02 = 0.95 V, V03 = 0.74 V, V04 = 0.16 V, V05 = 0 V
Determine the value of Planck’s constant h, the threshold frequency and work function for
the material.
29. The work function for the following metals is given:
Na: 2.75 eV; K: 2.30 eV; Mo: 4.17 eV; Ni: 5.15 eV. Which of these metals will not give
photoelectric emission for a radiation of wavelength 3300 Å from a He-Cd laser placed 1 m
away from the photocell? What happens if the laser is brought nearer and placed 50 cm
away?
30. Light of intensity 10−5 W m−2 falls on a sodium photo-cell of surface area 2 cm2. Assuming
that the top 5 layers of sodium absorb the incident energy, estimate time required for
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 47

photoelectric emission in the wave-picture of radiation. The work function for the metal is
given to be about 2 eV. What is the implication of your answer?
31. Crystal diffraction experiments can be performed using X-rays, or electrons accelerated
through appropriate voltage. Which probe has greater energy? (For quantitative
comparison, take the wavelength of the probe equal to 1 Å, which is of the order of inter-
atomic spacing in the lattice) (me= 9.11 × 10−31 kg).
32. (a) Obtain the de Broglie wavelength of a neutron of kinetic energy 150 eV. As you have
seen in the above question, an electron beam of this energy is suitable for crystal diffraction
experiments. Would a neutron beam of the same energy be equally suitable? Explain.
(mn= 1.675 × 10−27 kg)
(b) Obtain the de Broglie wavelength associated with thermal neutrons at room temperature
(27°C). Hence explain why a fast neutron beam needs to be thermalised with the
environment before it can be used for neutron diffraction experiments.
33. An electron microscope uses electrons accelerated by a voltage of 50 kV. Determine the de
Broglie wavelength associated with the electrons. If other factors (such as numerical
aperture, etc.) are taken to be roughly the same, how does the resolving power of an
electron microscope compare with that of an optical microscope which uses yellow light?
34. The wavelength of a probe is roughly a measure of the size of a structure that it can probe in
some detail. The quark structure of protons and neutrons appears at the minute length-scale
of 10−15 m or less. This structure was first probed in early 1970’s using high energy electron
beams produced by a linear accelerator at Stanford, USA. Guess what might have been the
order of energy of these electron beams. (Rest mass energy of electron = 0.511 MeV.)
35. Find the typical de Broglie wavelength associated with a He atom in helium gas at room
temperature (27°C) and 1 atm pressure; and compare it with the mean separation between
two atoms under these conditions.
36. Compute the typical de Broglie wavelength of an electron in a metal at 27°C and compare it
with the mean separation between two electrons in a metal which is given to be about 2 ×
10−10 m.
37. Answer the following questions:
(a) Quarks inside protons and neutrons are thought to carry fractional charges [(+2/3)e;
(−1/3)e]. Why do they not show up in Millikan’s oil-drop experiment?
(b) What is so special about the combination e/m? Why do we not simply talk of e and m
separately?
(c) Why should gases be insulators at ordinary pressures and start conducting at very low
pressures?
(d) Every metal has a definite work function. Why do all photoelectrons not come out with
the same energy if incident radiation is monochromatic? Why is there an energy distribution
of photoelectrons?
(e) The energy and momentum of an electron are related to the frequency and wavelength
of the associated matter wave by the relations:
h
E = h, p =

But while the value of  is physically significant, the value of  (and therefore, the value of
the phase speed ) has no physical significance. Why?
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 48

S U M M AT I V E CA P S U LE SC 

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is the practical unit of work function?
2. Is it necessary that each and every photon of the incident light would emit a photoelectron?
3. How many photons are required to emit one photo-electron?
4. What is the effect of decrease in intensity on stopping potential?
5. What is the effect of increase in intensity on photoelectric current?
6. Name one factor on which threshold frequency depends.
7. Name one factor on which the retarding potential depends.
8. The work function for a certain metal is 4.2 eV. Will this metal give photoelectric emission for
incident radiation of wavelength 330 nm? (Use the known values of e, h and c).
9. Complete the following statements:
(i) The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons depends on......and......but not on......
(ii) The saturated photoelectric current increases in proportion to......, while the stopping
voltage increases linearly with the.....of radiation.
(iii) The threshold frequency for photoelectric emission from platinum is greater than that of
zinc, which in turn is greater than that of sodium. An incident radiation of frequency
 > 0 (Zn).....cause photoelectric emission from sodium but.....cause photoelectric
emission from platinum.
10. Assuming that electrons are free inside a solid, sketch graphically the distribution n(v) of
electrons with speed v.
11. What is the effect on the velocity of the emitted photoelectrons if the wavelength of the
incident light is decreased?
12. If the intensity of incident radiation on a metal surface is doubled, what happens to the kinetic
energy of the electrons emitted?
13. How many electron volt make one joule?
14. The maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted by a photocell is 3 eV. What is the stopping
potential?
15. Name one factor on which the energy of a quantum of light depend.
16. Does the threshold frequency depend on intensity of light?
17. How does the maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted vary with the work function of the
metal?
18. If the intensity of incident radiation in a photocell is increased, how does the stopping
potential vary?
19. The frequency of incident radiation is greater than threshold frequency in a photocell. How
will the stopping potential vary, if frequency is increased, keeping other factors constant?
20. The maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted by a photocell is 5 eV. What is the stopping
potential?
21. Name a phenomenon which illustrates the particle nature of light.
22. State Einstein's photoelectric equation in mathematical form.
23. What is photoelectric effect?
24. Define work function of a metal.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 49

25. In a photoelectric effect experiment, the

following graphs were obtained between
the photoelectric current and the applied
voltage.

Name the characteristic of the incident

radiation that was kept constant in this
experiment.

26. Define threshold wavelength for photoelectric effect.

27. What are photoelectrons?
28. What is the approximate energy of a photon of visible light of minimum wavelength?
29. What is the approximate energy of a photon of visible light of maximum wavelength?
30. An electron and a photon have got the same total energy. Which of the two has greater de-
Broglie wavelength?
31. Name one instrument based on de-Broglie hypothesis.
32. Why the de-Broglie wave associated with a moving car is not visible?
h
33. What is the dimensional formula of ?
mv
34. What is the basic principle of electron microscope?
35. For a given kinetic energy, which of the following has the smallest de-Broglie wavelength;
electron, proton, -particle?
36. Show that the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is equal to de-Broglie wavelength of
its quantum (photon).
37. If h is Planck's constant, find the momentum of a photon of wavelength 0.01 Å.
38. Are matter waves electromagnetic?
h
39. Prove that de-Broglie wavelength  of electrons of h energy E is given by  = .
2mE
40. Write down the relation between the energy and momentum of a photon.
41. An electron and a photon have got the same K.E. Which of the two has greater de-Broglie
wavelength?
42. What is the momentum of a photon of wavelength ?
43. What is the frequency of a photon whose energy is 66.3 eV? Given: h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js.
44. What is the rest mass of a photon?

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

45. Why the surfaces of metals are coated with alkali?
46. The work functions of two metals A and B are 1 eV and 4 eV respectively. Which of these two
would be suitable for use in a photocell where visible light is used?
47. Light of frequency  is made incident on a block of three different materials P, Q and R. All the
materials behave differently. Guess the possible different behaviours.
48. Complete the statements below choosing appropriate clues from accompanying lists:
(i) If the intensity of incident radiation is doubled, the number of photoelectrons emitted per
second by the cathode is...... but the maximum kinetic energy of electrons is...... (unaltered,
doubled).
(ii) The wave picture of radiation does not have a natural explanation for......and...... (existence
of a threshold frequency, dependence of current on intensity, dependence of stopping voltage
on frequency but not on intensity).
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 50

(iii) The......predicts nearly instantaneous photoelectric emission unlike the...... which requires
considerable time for electrons to absorb energy before emission (wave picture, photon
picture).
49. For each statement below, state if it is true or false.
(a) The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons depends on the frequency of radiation and
material of the photocell.
(b) If the intensity of incident radiation is doubled, the maximum kinetic energy of
photoelectrons is also doubled.
(c) The cut-off voltage in a photoelectric experiment has a linear dependence on the
frequency of incident radiation.
(d) The photon picture of electromagnetic radiation predicts nearly instantaneous
photoelectric emission.
50. Is photoelectric emission possible at all frequencies? Give reasons for your answer.
51. All the photoelectrons are not emitted with the same energy. The energies of photoelectrons
are distributed over a certain range. Why?
52. What is the energy associated in joule with a photon of wavelength 4000 Å?
53. Calculate the frequency of a photon with energy 7.5 eV. Given: h = 6.62 × 10–34 Js.
54. If the frequency of incident radiation on a photocell is doubled for the same intensity, what
changes will you observe in (i) kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted (ii) photoelectric
current?
55. Radiation of frequency 1015 Hz is incident on two photosensitive surfaces P and Q. Following
observations are made:
(i) Surface P: Photoemission occurs but the photoelectrons have zero kinetic energy.
(ii) Surface Q : Photoemission occurs and photoelectrons have some kinetic energy.
Which of these has a higher work function? If the incident frequency is slightly reduced, what
will happen to photoelectron emission in the two cases?
56. The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted from a surface, when photons of
energy 6 eV fall on it is 4 eV. What is the stopping potential (in volt) for the fastest photoelec-
trons?
57. Two metals X and Y, when illuminated with appropriate radiation, emit photoelectrons. The
work function of X is higher than that of Y. Which metal will have higher value of threshold
frequency and why?
58. For a photosensitive surface, threshold wavelength is 0. Does photoemission occur, if the
wavelength () of the incident radiation is (a) more than 0 (b) less than 0? Justify your
answer.
59. A source of light is placed at a distance of 50 cm from a photocell and the cut-off potential is
found to be V0. If the distance between the light source and photocell is made 25 cm, what
will be the new cut-off potential? Justify your answer.
60. Name the device that converts changes in intensity of illumination into changes in electric
current. Give three applications of this device.
61. Two beams, one of red light and the other of blue light, of the same intensity are incident on a
metallic surface to emit photoelectrons. Which one of the two beams emits electrons of
greater kinetic energy?
62. Two metals A and B have work functions 4 eV and 10 eV respectively. Which metal has higher
threshold wavelength?
63. Red light, however bright it is, cannot produce the emission of electrons from a clean zinc
surface. But even weak ultraviolet radiation can do so. Why?
64. If the frequency of incident radiations is equal to the threshold frequency, what will be the
value of stopping potential?
65. Write two uses of photoelectric cell.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 51

66. Ultraviolet light is incident on two photosensitive materials having work functions W1 and W2
(W1> W2). In which case will the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons be greater? Why?
67. A metal emits electrons if green light falls on it but this is not true with yellow light. Will it emit
electrons with red light? Will it emit electrons with blue light?
68. Does the 'stopping potential' in photoelectric emission depend upon
(i) the intensity of the incident radiation in a photocell?
(ii) the frequency of the incident radiation?
69. Plot a graph showing the variation of photoelectric current with anode potential for two light
beams of same wavelength but different intensity.
70. Which photon is more energetic: blue one or red one? Give reason.
71. In a photoelectric experiment, the graph
between the stopping potential V and
frequency  of the incident radiations on two
different metal plates P and Q are shown in
figure, (i) Which of the two metal plates P
and Q has greater value of work function? (ii)
What does the slope of the lines depict?

72. Define the term threshold frequency and work function in relation to photoelectric effect.
73. Sketch a graph between frequency of incident radiations and stopping potential for a given
photo-sensitive material. What information can be obtained from the value of the intercept
on the potential axis.
74. A source of light of frequency greater than the threshold frequency is placed at a distance of
1 m from the cathode of a photo-cell. The stopping potential is found to be V. If the distance
of the light source from the cathode is reduced, explain giving reasons, what change will you
observe in the (i) photoelectric current (ii) stopping potential?
75. The wavelength  of a photon and the de-Broglie wavelength of an electron have the same
2mc
value. Show that the energy of the photon is times the kinetic energy of the electron.
h
Here m, c and h have their usual meanings.
76. The two lines A and B in the given figure show
the plot of de-Broglie wavelength  as a
1
function of for two particles having the
V
same charge. V is the accelerating potential.
Which of the two represents the particle of
heavier mass?

77. If the potential difference used to accelerate electrons is tripled, by what factor does the de-
Broglie wavelength of the electron beam change?
78. X-rays of wavelength ‘' fall on a photosensitive surface emitting electrons. Assuming that the
work function of the surface can be neglected, prove that the de-Broglie wavelength of
h
electrons emitted will be
2mc
79. (i) An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 300 V. What is its energy in eV?
(ii) What is the momentum of a photon of frequency ?
80. Mention the significance of Davisson − Germer experiment.
81. An electron and a proton are moving in the same direction and possess same kinetic energies.
Find the ratio of de-Broglie wavelengths associated with these particles.
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 52

82. An electron and a proton have the same amount of kinetic energy. Which of the two
possesses greater wavelength?
83. de-Broglie wavelength associated with an electron accelerated through a potential difference
V is . What will be its wavelength when the accelerating potential is increased to 4V.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

84. Derive Einstein's photoelectric equation. Explain two laws of photoelectric effect on the basis
of this relation.
85. What is photoelectric effect? State its laws. Derive Einstein's photoelectric equation.
86. What is a photoelectric cell? State its four uses.
87. Describe photoelectric effect and state the laws of photoelectric emission.
88. Explain laws of photoelectric emission.
89. Explain the working of a photocell.
90. What is Photoelectric effect? State its laws and derive these laws from Einstein's Photoelectric
equation.
91. Define Photoelectric effect, work function, threshold frequency and stopping potential of a
metal. State the laws of photoelectric emission. Give two applications of photoelectric current
in daily life.
92. What is Photoelectric effect? Discuss suitable experiments to study its laws.
93. State the dependence of work function on the kinetic energy of electrons emitted in a photo
cell. If the intensity of incident light is doubled, what changes occur in the stopping potential
and the photoelectric current?
94. Explain Einstein's theory of photoelectric effect.
95. What is photoelectric effect? Give any two practical applications of this effect. Write Einstein's
photoelectric equation and use it to explain (i) independence of maximum energy of the
emitted photoelectrons from intensity of incident light (ii) existence of a threshold frequency
of the emitted photoelectrons.
96. Define the terms: (i) work function (ii) threshold frequency and (iii) stopping potential, with
reference to photoelectric effect.
97. What do you understand by dual nature of radiation?
98. Derive de-Broglie wave equation for a material particle.
99. Describe Davisson and Germer experiment to establish the wave nature of electrons. Draw a
labelled diagram of the apparatus used.
100. Derive the expression for the de-Broglie wavelength of an electron moving under a potential
of V volt.

C OM P E T I T I V E W I N D OW CW 
1. An electron of mass me and a proton of mass mp are moving with the same speed. The ratio
of their de-Broglie wavelength e/p is [KCET 2011]
1
(A) 918 (B)
1836
(C) 1836 (D) 1
2. An electron and a proton are moving in the same direction with same kinetic energy. The
ratio of the de-Broglie wavelength associated with these particles [Guj CET 2011]
(Charge of an electron is 1.6 × 10 19 C and its mass is
m mp
(A) e (B)
mp me
Mp
(C) (D) mp. me
Me
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 53

3. An electron is accelerated under a potential difference of 182 V. The maximum velocity of

electron will be (Charge of an electron is 1.6 ×10−19 C and its mass is 9.1 × 10−31 kg)
(A) 5.65 × 106 m/s (B) 4 × 10 m/s [Guj CET 2011]
(C) 8 × 106 m/s (D) 16 × 106 m/s
4. An -particle and a proton are accelerated from rest by a potential difference of 100 V. After

this, their de-Broglie wavelengths are  and p respectively. The ratio p , to the nearest

integer, is [IIT JEE 2010]
(A) 3 (B) 4
(C) 2 (D) 4.5
5. The de-Broglie wavelength of the electron in the ground state of the hydrogen atom is
(Radius of the first orbit of hydrogen atom == 0.53 Å) [KCET 2010]
(A) 1.67 Å (C) 1.06 Å
(B) 3.33 Å (D) 0.53 Å
6. The de-Broglie wavelength of a ball of mass 120 g moving at a speed of 20 m/s is
(A) 3.5 × 10−34 m (B) 2.8 × 10−34 [AMU 2010]
−34 −34
(C) 1.2 × 10 m (D) 2.1 × 10
7. The de-Broglie wavelength of an electron in the ground state of the hydrogen atom is
(A) r2 (B) 2r [MHT CET 2010]
(C) r (D) 2r
8. Nuclear radii may be measured by scattering high energy electrons from nuclei. What is the
de-Broglie wavelength for 200 MeV electrons? [BVP 2010]
(A) 8.28 fm (B) 7.98 fm
(C) 6.45 fm (D) 6.20 fm
9. G.P. Thomson experimentally confirmed the existence of matter waves by the phenomenon
(A) diffraction (B) refraction [KCET 2009]
(C) polarisation (D) scattering
10. The kinetic energy of an electron gets tripled, then the de-Broglie wavelength associated
with it changes by a factor [KCET 2009]
1
(A) (B) 3
3
1
(C) (D) 3
3
11. For the Bohr's second orbit of circumference 2r, the de-Broglie wavelength of revolving
electron will be [MHT CET 2009]
(A) 2r (B) r
1 1
(C) (D)
2r 4 r
12. If the linear momentum of a particle is 2.2 × 10 kg-ms−1, then what will be its de-Broglie
4

wavelength? (Take h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js) [Guj CET 2009]

−29 −29
(A) 3 × 10 m (B) 3 × 10 nm
−29
(C) 6 × 10 m (D) 6 × 10−29 nm
13. Energy from the sun is received on earth at the rate of 2 cal per cm2 per min. If average
wavelength of solar light be taken at 5500 Å then how many photons are received on the
earth per cm2 per min? (Take h = 6.6 ×10−34 Js, 1 cal = 4.2 J). [DCE 2008]
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 54

(A) 1.5 × 1013 (B) 2.9 × 1013

(C) 2.3 × 1019 (D) 1.75 × 1019
14. Which of the following is not the property of the photons? [UP SEE 2008]
(A) Momentum (B) Energy
(C) Charge (D) Velocity
15. If an electron and a proton have the same de-Broglie wavelength, then the kinetic energy of
the electron is [KCET 2008]
(A) zero (B) less than that of a proton
(C) more than that of a proton (D) equal to that of a proton
16. Which of the following figures represents the variation of particle momentum and
associated de-Broglie wavelength? [Jamia Millia Islamia 2008]
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

17. What is de-Broglie wavelength of electron having energy 10 keV? [Manipal 2008]
(A) 0.12 Å (B) 1.2 Å
(C) 12.2 Å (D) None of these
18. If an electron and a photon propagate in the form of waves having the same wavelength, it
implies that they have the same [Manipal 2008]
(A) energy (B) momentum
(C) velocity (D) angular momentum
19. In Davisson-Germer experiment maximum intensity is observed at [MP PET 2008]
(A) 50° and 54 V (B) 54° and 50 V
(C) 50° and 50 V (D) 65° and 50 V
20. A photon and an electron have equal energy E. [MP PET 2008]
1
(A) E (B)
E
1
(C) (D) Does not depend upon E
E
21. The de-Broglie wavelength associated with a particle moving with momentum (p) and mass
(m) is [J&K CET 2008]
h h
(A) (B)
p mp
h h2
(C) 2 (D) 2
p p
22. Electrons with de-Broglie wavelength  fall on the target in an X-ray tube. The cut-off
wavelength of the emitted X-rays is [IIT JEE 2007]
2mc2 2mc2
(A) o = (B) o =
h h
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 55

2m2c2 3
(C)  o = (D)  o = 
h2
23. Photon of frequency  has a momentum associated with it. If c is the velocity of light, the
momentum is [AIEEE 2007]
(A) v/c (B) hc
(C) h/c2 (D) h/c
24. Monochromatic light of wavelength 3000 Å is incident on a surface area 4 cm2. If intensity of
light is 150mWm−2, then rate at which photons strike the target is [BITSAT 2007]
(A) 3 × 1010 s−1 (B) 9 × 1013 s−1
(C) 7 × 1015 s−1 (D) 6 × 1019 s−1
4
25. Monochromatic light of frequency 6.0 × 10 Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is
2 × 10−3 W. The number of photons emitted, on the average, by the source per second is
(A) 5 × 1015 (B) 5 × 1016 [UP SEE 2007]
17 14
(C) 5 × 10 (D) 5 × 10
26. The de-Broglie wavelength of a proton (charge: 1.6 × 10−19 C, mass =1.6×10 27 kg) accelerated
through a potential difference of 1 kV is [KCET 2007]
−12
(A) 600 Å (B) 0.9 × 10 m
(C) 7 Å (D) 0.9 nm
27. The ratio of the de-Broglie wavelength of an -particle and a proton of same kinetic energy
is [WB JEE 2007]
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 1 : 1
(C) 1: 2 (D) 4 : 1
28. One electron and one proton is accelerated by equal potential. Ratio in their de-Broglie
wavelengths is [VTTEEE 2007]
me
(A) 1 (B)
mP
mp me
(C) (D)
me mp
29. The momentum of a photon of energy 1 MeV in kg ms−1, will be [MHTCET 2007]
6 −24
(A) 0.33 × 10 (B) 7 × 10
−22
(C) 10 (D) 5 × 10−22
30. An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of V volt. The speed of electrons
will be [J&K CET 2007]
eV 2eV
(A) (B)
m m
eV m
(C) (D)
2m 2eV
31. If alpha, beta and gamma rays carry same momentum, which has the longest wavelength?
(A) Alpha rays (B) Beta rays [UP SEE 2006]
(C) Gamma rays (D) None, all have same wavelength
32. The kinetic energy of an electron, which is accelerated in the potential difference of 100 V, is
(A) 1.6 × 10−17 J (B) 1.6 × 10−14 J [UP SEE 2006]
−10 −8
(C) 1.6 × 10 J (D) 1.6 × 10 J
33. An electron initially at rest is accelerated through a potential difference of 1V. The energy
acquired by electron is [Jamia Millia Islamia 2006]
−19 −19
(a)10 J (B) 1.6 × 10 erg
−19
(C) 1.6 × 10 J (D) 1 J
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 56

34. If nR and nv denote the number of photons emitted by a red bulb and violet bulb of equal
power in a given time, then [MHTCET 2006]
(A) nR = nV (B) nR > nV
(C) nR < nV (D) nR  nV
35. The radio transmitter operates on a wavelength of 1500 m at a power of 400 kW. The
energy of radio photon (in joule) is [MHTCET 2006]
(A) 1.32 × 10−24 J (B) 1.32 × 10−28J
(C) 1.32 × 10−26J (D) 1.32 × 10−32J
36. If the kinetic energy of a free electron doubles, its de-Broglie wavelength changes by the
factor [AIEEE 2005]
1
(A) (B) 2
2
1
(C) (D) 2
2
37. The energy that should be added to an electron to reduce its de-Broglie wavelength from
1 nm to 0.5 nm is [BITSAT 2005]
(A) four times the initial energy (B) equal to the initial energy
(C) twice the initial energy (D) thrice the initial energy
38. An electron and a neutron can have same (1) kinetic energy, (2) momentum, or (3) speed.
Which particle has the shorter de-Broglie wavelength? [AMU 2005]
(A) Neutron, same, neutron (B) Neutron, electron, same
(C) Electron, same, neutron (D) Electron, neutron, electron
39. A particle of mass M at rest decays into two masses m1 and m2 with non-zero velocities. The

ratio of de-Broglie wavelengths of the particles 1 is [Guj CET 2005]
2
m2 m1
(A) (B)
m1 m2
m1
(C) (D) 1 : 1
m2
40. For an electron in the second orbit of Bohr's hydrogen atom, the moment of linear
momentum is [Guj CET 2005]
(A) h (B) 2h
h 2h
(C) (D)
 
41. The energy of a photon is equal to the kinetic energy of a proton. The energy of the photon
is E. Let 1 be the de-Broglie wavelength of the proton and 2 be the wavelength of the

photon. The ratio 1 is proportional to [IITJEE 2004]
2
(A) E° (B) E1/2
(C) E−1 (D) E−2
42. Davisson and Germer experiment proved [Guj CET 2004]
(A) wave nature of light (B) particle nature of light
(C) Both (A) and (B) (D) Neither (A) nor (B)
43. The wavelength of de-Broglie wave is 2 m, then its momentum is (h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js)
(A) 3.315 × 10−28 kg-ms−1 (B) 1.66 × 10−28 kg-ms−1 [DCE 2004]
(C) 4.97 × 10−28 kg-ms−1 (D) 9.9 × 10−28 kg-
−1
ms
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 57

44. If the energy of the photon is increased by a factor of 4, then its momentum [UP SEE 2004]
(A) does not change (B) decreases by a factor of 4
(C) increases by a factor of 4 (D) decreases by a factor of 2
45. The kinetic energy of an electron with de-Broglie wavelength of 3nm is [UP SEE 2004]
(A) 0.168 eV (B) 16.6 eV
(C) 1.68 eV (D) 2.5 eV
46. An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 45.5 V. The velocity acquired by
it is (in ms−1) [KCET 2004]
6
(A) 10 (B) zero
(C) 4 × 106 (D) 4 × 104
47. The wavelength of a 1 keV photon is 1.24 nm. The frequency of 1 MeV photon is
(A) 1.24 × 1015 Hz (B) 2.4 × 1020 Hz [Kerala CEE 2004]
18 24
(C) 1.24 × 10 Hz (D) 2.4 × 10 Hz (E) 2.4 × 1015 Hz
48. The de-Broglie wavelength of an electron, -particle and a proton all having the same kinetic
energy is respectively given as e,  and p. Then which of the following is not true?
(A) e <p (B) p >  [AMU 2004]
(C) e >  (D)  <p< e
49. Four particles have same momentum. Which has maximum kinetic energy? [OJEE 2004]
(A) Proton (B) Electron
(C) Deuteron (D) -particle
50. The energy of incident photons corresponding to maximum wavelength of visible light is
(A) 3.2 eV (B) 7 eV [J&K CET 2004]
(C) 1.55 eV (D) 1 eV
51. A particle with rest mass zero is moving with speed c. The de-Broglie wavelength associated
with it [J&K CET 2004]
(A) zero (B) infinity
h mc
(C) (D) 0
c h
52. A particle A has a charge q and particle B has charge + 4q with each of them having the mass
m. When they are allowed to fall from rest through same potential difference, the ratio of
their speeds vA : vB will be [Guj CET 2004]
(A) 4 : 1 (B) 1 : 4
(C) 1 : 2 (D) 2 : 1
53. If an electron and proton are propagating in the form of waves having the same wavelength,
it implies that they have the same [DCE 2003]
(A) energy (B) momentum
(C) velocity (D) angular momentum
54. The ratio of the energy of a photon with  = 150 nm to that with  = 300nm is [DCE 2003]
(A) 2 (B) 1/4
(C) 4 (D) 1/2
55. There are n1 photons of frequency 1 in a beam of light. In an equally energetic beam there
are n2 photons of frequency 2. Then the correct relation [KCET 2003]
n1 1 n1
(A) = (B) =1
n2 2 n2
n1 2 n1 22
(C) = (D) =
n2 1 n2 12
56. A charged particle of mass m and charge q is released from rest in an uniform electric field
E neglecting the effect of gravity, the kinetic energy of the charged particle after t second is
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 58

2E2 t2 Eq2m
(A) (B) [KCET 2003]
mq 2t2
Eqm E2q2 t2
(C) (D)
t 2m
57. A proton and an -particle are accelerated through same potential difference. The ratio of
their de-Broglie wavelengths p/a will be [AMU 2003]
1
(A) (B) 8
8
(C) 2 (D) 1
58. The frequency of a photon having energy 100 eV is
(Take h = 6.67 × 10−34 Js, 1 eV = 1.6 ×10−19 J) [Guj CET 2011]
(A) 2.4 × 10−16 (B) 2.4 × 1016
(C) 2.4 × 1017 (D) 10.54 × 1016
59. A photosensitive metallic surface has work function . If photon of energy 3 fall on this
surface, the electron comes out with a maximum velocity of 6 × 106 m/s. When the photon
energy is increased to 9), then maximum velocity of photoelectron will be [BVP 2011]
(A) 12 × 106m/s (B) 6 × 106 m/s
(C) 3 × 106m/s (D) 24 × 106 m/s
60. Statement I When ultraviolet light is incident on a photocell, its stopping potential is V0 and
the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is Kmax. When the ultraviolet light is
replaced by X-rays, both V0 and increase.
Statement II Photoelectrons are emitted with speeds ranging from zero to a maximum value
because of the range of frequencies present in the incident light. [AIEEE 2010]
(A) If both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of
assertion.
(B) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of
assertion.
(C) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(D) If assertion is false but reason is true.
61. According to Einstein's photoelectric equation, the graph of KE of the photoelectron emitted
from the metal versus the frequency of the incident radiation gives a straight line graph,
whose slope [KCET 2010]
(A) depends on the intensity of the incident radiation
(B) depends on the nature of the metal and also on the intensity of incident radiation
(C) is same for all metals and independent of the intensity of the incident radiation
(D) depends on the nature of the metal
62. What is the work function (in eV) of a substance if photoelectrons are just ejected for a
monochromatic light of wavelength  = 3300 Å? [AMU 2010]
(A) 3.75 (B) 3.25
(C) 1.63 (D) 0.75
−2
63. Photon and electron are given energy (10 J). Wavelengths associated with photon and
electron are ph and el then, correct statement will be [JCECE 2010]
(A) ph > el (B) ph < el

(C) ph = el (D) el = c
ph
64. The photoelectric effect represents that [Guj CET 2010]
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 59

(A) light has a particle nature (B) electron has a wave nature
(C) proton has a wave nature (D) None of the above

65. An atom of mass M which is in the state of rest emits a photon of wavelength . As a result,
the atom will deflect with the kinetic energy equal to (h is Planck's constant) [RPET 2010]
h2 1 h2
(A) (B)
M2 2 M2
h 1 h
(C) (D)
M 2 M
66. The linear momentum of photon is p. The wavelength of photon is , then (h is Planck
constant) [RPET 2010]
h
(A)  = hp (B)  =
p
p p2
(C)  = (D)  =
h h
67. Which of the following event support the quantum nature of light? [RPET 2010]
(A) Diffraction (B) Polarization
(C) Interference (D) Photoelectric effect
68. Photoelectric effect experiments are performed using three different metal plates p, q and r
having work functions p = 2.0 eV,q = 2.5eV and r =3.0 eV, respectively. A light beam
containing wavelengths of 550 nm, 450 nm and 350 nm with equal intensities illuminates
each of the plates. The correct I-V graph for the experiment is [IIT JEE 2009]
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

69. The surface of a metal is illuminated with the light of 400 nm. The kinetic energy of the
ejected photoelectrons was found to be 1.68 eV. The work function of the metal is
(hc = 1240 eV-nm) [AIEEE 2009]
(A) 3.09 eV (B) 1.42 eV
(C) 151 eV (D) 1.68 eV
hc
70. Light of wavelength  falls on a metal having work function . Photoelectric effect will take
0
place only if [DCE 2009]
(A)   0 (B)   20
(C)   0 (D)  = 40
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 60

71. Figure represents a graph of kinetic energy of most

energetic photoelectrons, Kmax (in eV), and frequency ()
for a metal used as cathode in photoelectric experiment.
The threshold frequency of light for the photoelectric
emission from the metal is [AMU 2009]

(A) 1 × 1014 Hz (B) 1.5 × 1014 Hz

(C) 2.1×1014 Hz (D) 2.7 × 1014 Hz

72. Monochromatic light of frequency f incident on emitter having threshold frequency f0. The
kinetic energy of ejected electron will be [OJEE 2009]
(A) hf (B) h (f− f0)
(C) hf0 (D) h (f + f0)
73. In photoelectric effect if the intensity of light is doubled, then maximum kinetic energy of
photoelectrons will become [MHT CET 2009]
(A) double (B) half
(C) four times (D) no change
74. In photoelectric effect, the threshold wavelength of sodium is 5000 Å. Find its work function
(h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js, c = 3 × 108 ms−1,1 eV= 1.6 × 10−19 J ) [Guj CET 2009]
(A) 7.5 eV (B) 2.5 eV
(C) 10 eV (D) 5.0 eV
75. The photons in a radio wave of wavelength 3 × 104 cm have energy [BVP 2009]
−10 −24
(A) 6.62 × 10 J (B) 19.86 × 10 J
(C) 6.62 × 10−28 J (D) 2.2 × 10−35 J
76. The average energy of the Planck oscillator is [BVP 2009]
h
(A) h (B) h /KT
( e − 1)
h
(C) (D) kT
(e
h /KT
+ 1)
77. Assertion (A) Photoelectric effect can take place only with an electron bound in the atom.
Reason (R) Electron is a fermion whereas proton is a boson. [BVP 2009]
(A) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion,
(B) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of
assertion.
(C) If assertion is true but reason is false (D) If assertion is false but reason is true.
78. In a photoelectric experiment the relation between applied
potential difference between cathode and anode V and the
photoelectric current I was found to be shown in graph below. If
Planck's constant h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js, the frequency of incident
radiation would be nearly (in s−1) [BVP 2009]

(A) 0.436 × 1018 (B) 0.46 × 1017

15
(C) 0.775 × 10 (D) 0.775 × 1016
79. In photoelectric effect, the electrons are ejected from metals if the incident light has a
certain minimum [DCE 2008]
(A) wavelength (B) frequency
(C) amplitude (D) angle of incidence
80. The frequency and intensity of a light source are doubled. Consider the following statements
I. Saturation photocurrent remains almost the same. [UP SEE 2008]
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 61

II. Maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is doubled.

(A) Both I and II are true (B) I is true but II is false
(C) I is false but II is true (D) Both I and II are false
81. When a piece of metal is illuminated by a monochromatic light of wavelength , then
stopping potential is 3Vs. When same surface is illuminated by light of wavelength 2, then
stopping potential becomes Vs. The value of threshold wavelength for photoelectric
emission will be [KCET 2008]
(A) 4 (B) 8
4
(C)  (D) 6
3
82. The maximum kinetic energy of emitted electrons in a photoelectric effect does not depend
upon [KCET 2008]
(A) wavelength (B) frequency
(C) intensity (D) work function
83. The threshold wavelength for photoelectric emission from a material is 4800 Å.
Photoelectrons will be emitted from the material, when it is illuminated with light from a
(A) 40 W blue lamp (B) 40 W green lamp [Kerala CEE 2008]
(C) 100 W red lamp (D) 100 W yellow lamp
(E) 1000 W green lamp
84. A light whose frequency is equal to 6 × 1014 Hz is incident on a metal whose work function is
2eV. [h = 6.63 × 10−34 Js, 1eV = 1.6 × 10−19J]. The maximum energy of the electrons emitted
will be [VITEEE 2008]
(A) 2.49 eV (B) 4.49 eV
(C) 0.49 eV (D) 5.49 eV
85. When light of wavelength 300 nm falls on a photoelectric emitter, photoelectrons are
liberated. For another emitter, light of wavelength 600 nm is sufficient for liberating
photoelectrons. The ratio of the work function of the two emitters is
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 1 [Jamia Millia Islamia 2008]
(C) 4 : 1 (D) 1 : 4
86. Maximum velocity of the photoelectrons emitted by a metal surface is 1.2 × 106 ms−1.
Assuming the specific charge of the electron to be 1.8 × 1011 C kg−1, the value of the stopping
potential in volt will be [Jamia Millia Islamia 2008]
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) 6
87. The work function of a substance is 4.0 eV. The longest wavelength of light that can cause
photoelectron emission from this substance is approximately [Manipal 2008]
(A) 540 nm (B) 400 nm
(C) 310 nm (D) 220 nm
88. Photoelectric effect supports quantum nature of light because [Manipal 2008]
1. there is minimum frequency of light below which no photoelectrons are emitted.
2. electric charge of photoelectrons is quantized.
3. maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons depends only on the frequency of light and
not on its intensity.
4. even when metal surface is faintly illuminated the photoelectrons leave the surface
immediately.
(A) 1,2,3 (B) 1,2,4
(C) 2,3,4 (D) 1,3,4
89. The photosensitive surface is receiving light of wavelength 5000 Å at the rate of 10−8 Js−1.
The number of photons received per second is [Guj CET2008]
10 11
(A) 2.5 × 10 (B) 2.5 × 10
(C) 2.5 × 1012 (D) 2.5 × 109
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 62

90. A light having wavelength 300 nm falls on a metal surface. Work function of metal is 2.54 eV.
What is stopping potential? [DCE 2007]
(A) 2.3 V (B) 2.59 V
(C) 1.60 V (D) 1.29 V
91. When radiation is incident on a photoelectron emitter, the stopping potential is found to be
9V. If e/m for the electron is 1.8 × 1011 C kg−1, the maximum velocity of the ejected electron
is
(A) 6 × 105 ms−1 (B) 8 × 10 ms−1 [BITSAT 2007]
−1
6
(C) 1.8 × 10 ms (D) 1.8 × 105 ms−1
92. A 5W source emits monochromatic light of wavelength 5000 Å. When placed 0.5 m away, it
liberates photoelectrons from a photosensitive metallic surface. When the source is moved
to a distance of 1.0 m, the number of photoelectrons liberated will be reduced by a factor of
(A) 4 (B) 8 [UP SEE 2007]
(C) 16 (D) 2
93. A and B are two metals with threshold frequencies 1.8 × 1014 Hz and 2.2 × 1014 Hz. Two
identical photons of energy 0.825 eV each are incident on them. Then photoelectrons are
emitted by (Take h = 6.6 × 10−34 J-s) [KCET 2007]
(A) B alone (B) A alone
(C) neither A nor B (D) both A and B
94. When a monochromatic point source of light is at a distance 0.2 m from a photoelectric cell,
the saturation current and cut-off voltage are 12.0 mA and 0.5 V. If the same source is
placed 0.4 m away from the photoelectric cell, then the saturation current and the stopping
potential respectively are [Kerala CEE 2007]
(A) 4 mA and 1 V (B) 12 mA and 1 V
(C) 3 mA and I V (D) 12 mA and 0.5 V (E) 3 mA and 0.5 V
95. In an experiment on photoelectric emission from a metallic surface, wavelength of incident
light is 2 × 10−7m and stopping potential is 2.5 V. The threshold frequency of the metal
(in Hz) approximately (charge of electron e = 1.6 ×10−19C, Planck's constant h = 6.6 × 10−34 J-
s)
(A) 12 × 1015 (B) 9 × 10 15 [EAMCET 2007]
14
(C) 9 × 10 (D) 12 × 1013
96. Light of wavelength 5000 Å is falling on a sensitive surface. If the surface has received 10−7 J
of energy, then the number of photons falling on the surface will be [BCECE 2007]
11 11
(A) 5 × 10 (B) 2.5 × 10
(C) 3 × 1011 (D) None of these
97. A photo-sensitive material would emit electrons, if excited by photons beyond a threshold.
To overcome the threshold, one would increase the [VITEEE 2007]
(A) voltage applied to the light source (B) intensity of light
(C) wavelength of light (D) frequency of light
98. When intensity of incident light increases [MHT CET 2007]
(A) photo-current increases (B) photo-current decreases
(C) kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons increases
(D) kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons decreases
99. A photoelectric cell is illuminated by a point source of light 1 m away. When the source is
shifted to 2 m then [MHT CET 2007]
(A) each emitted electron carries half the initial energy
(B) number of electrons emitted is a quarter of the initial number
(C) each emitted electron carries one quarter of the initial energy
(D) number of electrons emitted is half the initial number
100. The threshold frequency for a metallic surface corresponds to an energy of 6.2 eV and the
stopping potential for a radiation incident on this surface is 5V. The incident radiation lies in
(A) ultra-violet region (B) infra-red region [AIEEE 2006]
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 63

(C) visible region (D) X-ray region

101. The time taken by a photoelectron to come out after the photon strikes is approximately
(A) 10−4 s (B) 10−10 s [AIEEE 2006]
−16
(C) 10 s (D) 10−1 s
102. Light of frequency  falls on material of threshold frequency 0. Maximum kinetic energy of
emitted electron is proportional to [Guj CET 2006]
(A) −0 (B) 
(C)  −  o (D) 0
103. The specific charge of a proton is 9.6 × 107 C kg−1. The specific charge of an alpha particle will
be
(A) 9.6 × 107 Ckg−1 (B) 19.2 × 107 Ckg−1 [BVP 2006]
−1
7
(C) 4.8 × 10 Ckg (D) 2.4 × 107 Ckg−1
104. In a photoelectric effect measurement, the stopping potential for a given metal is found to
be V0 volt when radiation of wavelength 0 is used. If radiation of wavelength 20 is used
with the same metal then the stopping potential (in volt) will be [Kerala CEE 2006]
V
(A) o (B) 2Vo
2
hc hc
(C) Vo + (D) Vo − (E) V0
2e0 2e0
105. Threshold wavelength for photoelectric emission from a metal surface is 5200 Å.
Photoelectrons will emitted when this surface is illuminated with monochromatic radiation
from [AMU 2006]
(A) 1 W IR lamp (B) 50 W UV lamp
(C) 50W IR lamp (D) 10 W IR lamp
106. The figure shows variation of photocurrent
with anode potential for a photo-sensitive
surface for three different radiations. Let Ia, Ib
and Ic be the intensities and a, b and c be
the frequencies for the curves a, b and c
respectively. Then [IIT JEE, WB JEE 2006]

(A) a =b and Ia  Ib (B) a = c and Ia = Ic

(C) a = b and Ia = Ib (D) b = C and Ib =Ic
107. Light of energy 2.0 eV falls on a metal of work function 1.4 eV. The stopping potential is
[Jamia Millia Islamia 2006]
(A) 0.6 V (B) 2.0 V
(C) 3.4 V (D) 1.4 V
108. Stopping potential required to reduce the photoelectric current to zero [ J&K CET 2006]
(A) is directly proportional to the wavelength of the incident radiation
(B) increases uniformly with wavelength of the incident radiation
(C) is directly proportional to the frequency of the incident radiation
(D) decreases uniformly with the frequency of the incident radiation
109. The photoelectric threshold frequency of a metal is . When light of frequency 4 is incident
on the metal. The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons is
(A) 4 h (B) 3 h [J&K CET 2006]
5
(C) 5 h (D) h
2
110. From the figure describing photoelectric effect we may infer correctly that [KCET 2005]
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 64

(A) Na and Al both have the same threshold frequency

(B) maximum kinetic energy for both the metals depend linearly on the frequency
(C) the stopping potentials are different for Na and Al for the same change in frequency
(D) Al is a better photo sensitive material than Na
111. If the frequency of light incident on metal surface is doubled, then kinetic energy of emitted
electron will become [J&K CET 2005]
(A) doubled (B) less than double
(C) more than double (D) Nothing can be said
112. In photoelectric effect, the number of electrons ejected per second is [Guj CET 2005]
(A) proportional to the wavelength of light
(B) proportional to the intensity of light
(C) proportional to the work function of the metal
(D) proportional to the frequency of light
113. According to Einstein's photoelectric equation, the plot of the kinetic energy of the emitted
photoelectrons from a metal Vs the frequency, of the incident radiation gives a straight line
whose slope [AIEEE 2004]
(A) depends on the nature of the metal used
(B) depends on the intensity of the radiation
(C) depends both on the intensity of the radiation and the metal used
(D) is the same for all metals and independent of the intensity of the radiation
114. Who discovered the charge on an electron for the first time? [DCE 2004]
(A) Millikan (B) Thomson
(C) Kelvin (D) Coulomb
115. A photon of energy 8 eV is incident on metal surface of threshold frequency 1.6 × 1015 Hz.
The kinetic energy of the photoelectrons emitted (in eV) (Taken = 6× 10−34 Js)
(A) 1.6 (B) 6 [Kerala CEE 2004]
(C) 2 (D) 1.2 (E) 2.6
116. The threshold frequency for certain metal is 3.3 × 1014 Hz. If light of frequency 8.2 × 1014 Hz
is incident on the metal, the cut-off voltage of the photoelectric current will be
(A) 4.9 V (B) 3.0 V [AMU 2004]
(C) 2.0 V (D) 1 V
117. Electrons ejected from the surface of a metal, when light of certain frequency is incident on
it, are stopped fully by a retarding potential of 3 V. Photoelectric effect in this metallic
surface begins at a frequency 6 × 1014 s−1. The frequency of the incident light in s−1 is
[Planck's constant = 6.4 × 10−34 Js, charge on the electron = 1.6 × 10−19 C]
(A) 7.5 × 1013 (B) 13.5 × 1013 [EAMCET 2004]
14 15
(C) 13.5 × 10 (D) 7.5 × 10
118. Light of wavelength 4000 Å is incident on a metal surface. The maximum kinetic energy of
emitted photoelectron is 2 eV. What is the work function of the metal surface?
(A) 4 eV (B) 1 eV [MHT CET 2004]
(C) 2 eV (D) 6 eV
119. The photoelectric effect can be understood on the basis of [Guj CET 2004]
(A) the principle of superposition (B) the electromagnetic theory of light
(C) the special theory of relativity (D) line spectrum of the atom
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 65

120. Ultraviolet radiation of 6.2 eV falls on an aluminium surface (work function 4.2 eV). The
kinetic energy of the faster electron emitted is approximately [Guj CET 2004]
−15 −17
(A) 3.2 × 10 J (B) 3.2 × 10 J
(C) 3.2 ×10−19 J (D) 3.2 × 10−21 J
121. Two identical, photo cathodes receive light of frequencies f1 and f2. If the velocities of the
photoelectrons (of mass m) coming out are respectively 1 and 2, then [AIEEE 2003]
1/2
2h  2h 
(A) 12 − 22 = ( f1 − f2 ) (B) 1 + 2 =  ( f1 + f2 ) 
m m 
1/2
2h  2h 
(C)  +  = ( f1 + f2 )
2
1
2
2 (D) 1 − 2 =  ( f1 − f2 ) 
m m 
122. In photoelectric effect, the KE of electrons emitted from the metal surface depends upon
(A) intensity of light (B) frequency of incident light [DCE 2003]
(C) velocity of incident light (D) Both intensity and velocity of light
123. Photoelectric effect can be explained by [DCE 2003]
(A) corpuscular theory of light (B) wave nature of light
(C) Bohr's theory (D) quantum theory of light
124. In a photoelectric effect experiment, the slope of the graph between the stopping potential
and the incident frequency will be [UP SEE 2003]
(A) 1 (B) 0.5
(C) 10−15 (D) 10−34
125. If the wavelength of incident light changes from 400 nm to 300 nm, the stopping potential
for photoelectrons emitted from a surface becomes approximately
(A) 1.0 V greater (B) 1.0 V smaller [Kerala CEE 2003]
(C) 0.5 V greater (D) 0.5 V smaller (E) 0.1 V greater
−2
126. Ultraviolet light of wavelength 300 nm and intensity 1.0 Wm falls on the surface of
photoelectric metal. If one percent of incident photons produce photoelectrons, then the
number of photoelectrons emitted from an area of 1.0 cm 2 of the surface is nearly
(A) 2.13 × 1011 s−1 (B) 1.5 × 1012s−1 [AMU 2003]
12 −1
(C) 3.02 × 10 s (D) None of these
127. If threshold wavelength for a certain metal is 2000 Å, then the work function of metal is
(A) 6.2 MeV (B) 6.2 keV [AMU 2003]
(C) 6.2 J (D) 6.2 eV
128. Consider the two following statements I and II, and identify the correct choice given in the
answers [EAMCET 2003]
I. In photovoltaic cells the photoelectric current produced is not proportional to the intensity
of incident light.
II. In gas filled photoemissive cells, the velocity of photoelectrons depends on the
wavelength of the incident radiation.
(A) Both I and II are true (B) Both I and II are false
(C) I is true but II is false (D) I is false but II is true
129. When radiation of the wavelength  is incident on a metallic surface, the stopping potential
is 4.8 V. If the same surface is illuminated with radiation of double the wavelength, then the
stopping potential becomes 1.6 V. Then the threshold wavelength for the surface is
(A) 2 (B) 4 [EAMCET 2003]
(C) 6 (D) 8
130. When a monochromatic point source of light is at a distance of 0.2 m from a photocell, the
cut-off voltage and the saturation current are respectively V0 = 0.6 V and Is =18.0 mA. If the
same source is placed 0.6 m away from the photocell, then [J&K CET 2003]
(A) stopping potential V0 = 0.2 V and saturation current Is =18.0 mA
(B) stopping potential V0 =0.6 V and saturation current Is = 18.0 mA
(C) stopping potential V0 = 0.6 V and saturation current Is = 2.0 mA
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 66

(D) stopping potential V0 = 2.0 V and saturation current Is = 2.0 mA

KEY AND ANSWERS

FORMATIVE CAPSULE 11.1

1. Yes. 2. No photo-emission is now possible. 3. Conceptual
4. No effect 5. Conceptual
6. Neither Mo nor Ni will give photo-emission. 7. Conceptual
8. Conceptual 9. Conceptual 10. No
11. The kinetic energy will be more than doubled. 12. No
13. Greater than 14. Conceptual 15. 0.5 × 1014 Hz 16. B
14
17. (i) 4 × 10 Hz (ii) 1.655 eV. 18. 3.55 eV 19. 2.97 eV
20. 6.57 × 10−34Js 21. 3.96 × 10−19 J 22. 1.324 × 1015 s−1; 2.486 eV
23. 0.8275 eV 24. 1.828 eV 25. 3.1 eV
26. 1.28 V. 27. 2V 28. 4.97 V 29. 1.0 V
30. 1.72 × 106 ms–1 31. (a) 5.16 × 1014 Hz (b)  454 nm. 32. 2980 Å
33. (a) 2.48 eV (b) 0.58 eV (c) 0.58 V
34. (a) 4.363 × 1014 Hz, 6.875 × 10−7 m, (b) 1.08 × 10−19 J (c) 4.9 × 105 ms−1
35. (a) 3 × 1014 s−1 (b) 1.25 eV (c) 6.0 × 10−34 Js (d) 3 ×10−19 J 36. 2.25 
37. (i) 1015 Hz (ii) 4eV 38. 3.96 × 10−19 J 39. 1.24 × 10–6 eV 40. 2.5 eV
22 −19 −27 −1
41. 10 42. E = 3× 10 J, p = 10 ms
43. (a) 2.49 eV, (b) 5.0 × 1015 photons per second. 44. (i) 3.19 eV (ii) 2.26 eV (iii) 1.64 eV
−9
45. (i) 4.125 × 10 eV, 1.875 eV 46. 1.72 × 1031/sec
47. 4
3 × 10 photons 48. 2.67 × 10 19
49. 5.33 × 10−8 N
50. (i) 6.592 × 10−34 Js, (ii) No, because the stopping potential is independent of intensity of
incident light.
51. 2.5 eV 52. 1.51 × 1020 s−1 53. 5.2 ×10−6 T 54. 1.41×1019 s−1
55. (i) 1.1 eV (ii) 1.6 × 10−6 A, unchanged
56. Radiations of two photons energies, twice and five times the work function of metal are
incident successively on the metal surface. Find the ratio of the maximum velocity of
photoelectrons emitted in the two cases.
56. 1: 2 57. 310.3 Å, 1249 Å 58. 6.25 × 1011 s−1, 0, 5.0 eV 59. 1.9 eV, 4125 Å
PRACTICE CAPSULE 11.1
Q.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Key C A A B A A C D C D
Q.No 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Key D B A C D D C B B D
Q.No 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Key C D C B A C A C C D
Q.No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Key A D C B D C C A C B
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 67

Q.No 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Key C A C A A D A A D B
Q.No 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Key B B A B D D B D B C
Q.No 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
Key D B A B C D D A B A
Q.No 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78
Key B B C A C B A C
FORMATIVE CAPSULE 11.2
7. 2.437 × 10−16 m 11. 1.24 BeV. 14. No 15. 1.1 × 10−32m
−8 −7
16. 3 × 10−23 kgms−1 17. B = 2 A = 2  510 m = 10 m 18. 5.3Å
−24 −1 −29
19. 3.313 × 10 kg ms 20. 4 × 10 nm
−9
21. (i) 7.4 × 10 m
(ii) 3.97 × 10−12 m 22. 2.34 × 10−12 m 23.  ‘ = 2 24. 0.5467 Å
25. 896.7 nm 26. 332 pm 27. 1.435 Å 28. 1.264 Å
29. 6.135 × 10−29 kg. 30. 3.548 × 10–11 m 31. 1Å
32. v1 < v2 or v2 > v1
So, electron has greater velocity than the proton.
33. E’ > E
So, the photon possesses more kinetic energy than that of electron.
34. E > E’
So, the ‘total energy’ of an electron is greater than the ’total energy’ of a photon.
35. 1.264 Å 36. 0.099 Å
37. (i) 6.6 × 10−25 kg ms−1, 6.6 × 10−25 kg ms−1 (ii) 1.98 × 10−16 J (iii) 2.39 × 10−19 J
38. 1.022 Å 39. (1/3) Å 40. 1.43 Å 41. 1 / 2 2
1
42. 9.23 × 10−16 J 43. 6 eV 44. 3.6 × 10−23 kg ms−1 45.
2 2

46.  10 −5
'
PRACTICE CAPSULE 11.2
Q.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Key B C C C C B A C A C
Q.No 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Key A A B B D A B A C A
Q.No 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Key A B D A A C B C C B

NCERT EXERCISE
1. (a) 7.24 × 1018 Hz (b) 0.041 nm
–19
2. (a) 0.34 eV = 0.54 × 10 J (b) 0.34 V (c) 344 km/s
3. 1.5 eV = 2.4 × 10–19 J
4. (a) 3.14 × 10–19J, 1.05 × 10–27 kg m/s (b) 3 × 1016 photons/s (c) 0.63 m/s
21 –34
5. 4 × 10 photons/m2 s 6. 6.59 × 10 J s
7. (a) 3.38 × 10–19 J = 2.11 eV (b) 3.0 × 1020 photons/s 8. 2.0 V
9. No, because ν < νo
10. 4.73 × 1014 Hz 11. 2.16 eV = 3.46 × 10–19J
–24 –1
12. (a) 4.04 × 10 kg m s (b) 0.164 nm
13. (a) 5.92 × 10–24 kg m s–1 (b) 6.50 × 106 m s–1 (c) 0.112 nm
 ACTIVESITE EDUTECH- 9844532971 68

14. (a) 6.95 × 10–25 J = 4.34 μeV (b) 3.78 × 10–28 J = 0.236 neV
–35 –32
15. (a) 1.7 × 10 m (b) 1.1 × 10 m (c) 3.0 × 10–23 m
16. (a) 6.63 × 10–25 kg m/s (for both) (b) 1.24 keV (c) 1.51 eV
17. (a) 6.686 × 10–21 J = 4.174 × 10–2 eV (b) 0.145 nm
18.  = h/p = h/(hν/c) = c/ν 19. 0.028 nm
20. (a) v = 1.33 × 107 m s–1 (b) Conceptual
m0 v
21. (a) 22.7 cm (b)
c2 − v 2
eB
c2
22. 1.73 × 1011 C kg–1.
23. (a) 27.6 keV (b) of the order of 30 kV
24.  = 2.43 × 10 m
–16
25. (a) 3 × 1031 s–1 (b) 104 s–1
26. 4.15 eV 27. V0 = 1.50 V
–34
28. (a) 6.626 × 10 J s (b) 5.0 × 1014 Hz (c) 2.054 eV 29. Mo and Ni
7
30. 1.6 × 10 s 31. Photon has much greater energy than an electron
32. (a) 2.33 × 10–12 m (b) 1.447 × 10−10 m 33. 5.467 × 10−12 m
34. 1.24 BeV 35. (i) 0.73 × 10 m–10
(ii) Mean separation = 3.35 × 10−9 m
–9
36. 6.2 × 10 m 37. Conceptual

COMPETITIVE WINDOW
Q.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Key C C C A B B B D B C
Q.No 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Key B B C C C D A B B B
Q.No 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Key A A B B A B A C D B
Q.No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Key D A C B B C D A D C
Q.No 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Key B A A C B C B A B C
Q.No 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Key A C A A C D B B B C
Q.No 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
Key C A A A B B D A B C
Q.No 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
Key D B D B C B C C B C
Q.No 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
Key A C A C B C C D A C
Q.No 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
Key C A B E C B D A B A
Q.No 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110
Key B A C D B A A C B B
Q.No 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120
Key C B D A C C C B D C
Q.No 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130
Key A B D C A B D D B C

______________  ______________

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