KEY FEATURES
Photon. It is a packet of energy. A photon of frequency v possesses energy h𝝂. The rest mass of a photon is
zero.
Work function of a metal. The minimum energy, which must be supplied to the electron so that it can just
come out of a metal surface, is called the work function of the metal. It is denoted by W
Photoelectric effect. The phenomenon of ejection of electrons from a metal surface, when light of sufficiently
high frequency falls on it, is known as photoelectric effect.
The electrons so emitted are called photoelectrons.
Threshold frequency. The minimum frequency (𝝂𝑶 )), which the incident light must possess so as to eject
photoelectrons from a metal surface, is called threshold frequency of the metal.
Mathematically- W = h𝝂𝑶
Laws of photoelectric effect.
1. Photoelectric emission takes place from a metal surface, when the frequency of incident light is above its
threshold frequency.
2. The photoelectric emission starts as soon as the light is incident on the metal surface.
3. The maximum kinetic energy with which an electron is emitted from a metal surface is independent of the
intensity of light and depends upon its frequency.
4. The number of photoelectrons emitted is independent of the frequency of the incident light and depends only
upon its intensity.
Cut off potential. It is that minimum value of the negative potential (𝑉𝑂 ), which should be applied to the
anode in a photo cell so that the photoelectric current becomes zero.
𝟏
Mathematically- e𝑽𝒐 = 𝒎𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟐
𝟐
where 𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 is the maximum velocity with which the photoelectrons are emitted
Einstein’s photoelectric equation. When light of frequency ν is incident on a metal surface, whose work
𝟏
function is W (i.e. h𝝂𝑶 ), then the maximum kinetic energy ( 𝒎𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟐 ) of the emitted photoelectrons is
𝟐
𝟏
given by h𝝂 = 𝐡𝝂𝑶 + 𝟐
𝒎𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
e𝑽𝑶 = hc (𝝀 − )
𝝀𝒐
It is called Einstein’s photoelectric equation. It can explain the laws of photoelectric emission.
Photoelectric cell. A photocell is an arrangement, which produces electric current, when light falls on its
cathode.
de-Broglie hypothesis. Both radiation and matter have dual nature.
ℎ ℎ
A particle of momentum p is associated with de-Broglie wave of wavelength λ = 𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣
The above relation is called de-Broglie relation and the wavelength of the wave associated is called de-Broglie
wavelength of the particle.
de-Broglie wavelength of electron. An electron of kinetic energy E possesses de-Broglie wavelength,
𝒉
λ=
√𝟐𝒎𝑬
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 118
If electron is accelerated through a potential difference V, then
𝒉 𝟏𝟐.𝟐𝟕
λ= = 𝑨o
√𝟐𝒎𝒆𝑽 √𝑽
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Q.1 How does the intensity affect the photoelectric current?
Ans. As intensity increases the photoelectric effect. Since each incident photon ejects one
photoelectron from a metal surface, therefore, the number of photoelectrons emitted depends on
the number of photons falling on the metal surface, which in turn depends on the intensity of the
incident light. Hence, as the intensity increases, the number of photoelectrons ejected increases and
hence photoelectric current increases.
Q.2 Write the basic features of photon picture of electromagnetic radiation on which Einstein’s
photoelectric equation is based.
Ans. Features of the photons:
(i)Photons are particles of light having energy E = hν and momentum p = h/λ
(ii) Photons travel with the speed of light in vacuum, independent of the frame of reference.
(iii) Intensity of light depends on the number of photons crossing unit area in a unit time.
Q.3 Define the term ‘stopping potential’ in relation to photoelectric effect.
Ans. The minimum retarding (negative) potential of anode of a photoelectric tube for which
photoelectric current stops or becomes zero is called the stopping potential.
Q.4 Define the term ‘threshold frequency’ in relations to photoelectric effects.
Ans. Threshold frequency is defined as the minimum frequency of incident radiation which can cause
photoelectric emission. It is different for different metal.
Q.5 In photoelectric effect, why should the photoelectric current increase as the intensity of
monochromatic radiation incident on a photosensitive surface is increased? Explain.
Ans. The photoelectric current increases proportionally with the increase in intensity of incident
radiation. Larger the intensity of incident radiation, larger is the number of incident photons and
hence larger is the number of electrons ejected from the photosensitive surface.
Q.6 There are materials which absorb photons of shorter wavelength and emit photons of longer
wavelength. Can there be stable substances which absorb photons of larger wavelength and emit light
of shorter wavelength?
Ans. In the first case, energy given out is less than the energy supplied. In the second case, the
material has to supply the energy as the emitted photon has more energy. This cannot happen for
stable substances.
Q.7 Do all the electrons that absorb a photon come out as photoelectrons?
Ans. No, most electrons get scattered into the metal. Only a few come out of the surface of the metal.
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 119
Q.8 Light of wavelength 3500 Å is incident on two metals A and B. Which metal will yield more
photoelectrons if their work functions are 5 eV and 2 eV respectively?
Ans. Metal B will yield more photo electrons. work function of Metal B is lower than that of A for
the same wavelength of light. Hence metal B will give more electrons.
Q.9 The momentum of photon of electromagnetic radiation is 3.3 10-29 kg-m/s. Find out the
frequency and wavelength of the wave associated with it.
Ans- (i) Given, h = 6.63 10-34 J/s, c= 3 x108 m/s and p = 3.3 x 10 -29- kg m/s
ℎ𝜈 𝑝𝑐 3.3 𝑥 10−29 𝑥 3 𝑥 108
Momentum, p= or ν = = = 1.5 x 1013 Hz
𝑐 ℎ 6.63 𝑥 10−34
𝑐 3 𝑥 108
λ = 𝜈 = 1.5 𝑥 1013 = 2 x 10-5 m
Q.10 Monochromatic light of frequency 6.0 × 1014 Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is 2.0 × 10–3
W Calculate the
(i) energy of a photon in the light beam and
(ii) number of photons emitted on an average by the source.
Ans. Calculating
(i) Energy of a photon = hν= 6.63 × 10–34 × 6.0 × 1014 J = 3.978 × 10–19 J
Power 2 𝑥10−3
(ii) Number of photons emitted per second = =
Energy of photon 3.978 𝑥 10−19
= 5.03 × 1015 photons/second
Q.11 (a) Define the term ‘intensity of radiation’ in photon picture.
(b) Plot a graph showing the variation of photo current vs
collector potential for three
different intensities I1 > I2 > I3, two of which (I1 and I2) have
the same frequency ν and
the third has frequency ν1 > ν.
(c) Explain the nature of the curves on the basis of Einstein’s
equation.
Ans-(a) The amount of light energy or photon energy incident per metre square per second
is called intensity of radiation.
(b) ν2 = ν3 = ν
(c) As per Einstein’s equation,
(i) The stopping potential is same for I1 and I2 as they have the same frequency.
(ii) The saturation currents are as shown in figure because I1 > I2 > I3.
Q.12 Show the variation of photocurrent with collector plate potential for different frequencies
but same intensity of incident radiation.
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 120
Q.13 Write Einstein’s photoelectric equation and point out any two characteristic properties of
photons on which this equation is based.
Ans. If radiation of frequency (ν) greater than threshold frequency (ν0) irradiate the metal
surface, electrons are emitted out from the metal. So Einstein’s photoelectric equation can be
given as
1
𝐾max= = 2 m𝑣 2 = hν - h𝜈𝑂
Characteristic properties of photons:
(i) Energy of photon is directly proportional to the frequency (or inversely proportional to the
wavelength.
(ii) In photon-electron collision, total energy and
momentum of the system of two constituents remains
constant.
Q.14 What is meant by work function of a metal? How does
the value of work function influence the kinetic energy of
electrons liberated during photoelectron emission?
Ans. Work Function: The minimum energy required to free an
electron from metallic surface is called the work function.
Smaller the work function, larger the kinetic energy of emitted
electron.
Q.15 The given graph shows the variation of photo-electric current (I) with the applied voltage
(V) for two different materials and for two different intensities of the incident radiations. Identify
and explain using Einstein’s photo electric equation for the pair of curves that correspond to
(i) different materials but same intensity of incident radiation,
(ii) different intensities but same materials.
Ans-
(a) 1 and 2 correspond to same intensity but different material.
(b) 3 and 4 correspond to same intensity but different material.
This is because the saturation currents are same and stopping potentials are different. Intensity of
light Photoelectric current
(a) 1 and 3 correspond to different intensity but same material.
(b) 2 and 4 correspond to different intensity but same material.
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 121
This is because the stopping potentials are same but saturation currents are different
Q.16 Plot a graph showing the variation of stopping potential
with the frequency of incident radiation for two different
photosensitive materials having work functions W1 and W2
(W1>W2). On what factors does the (i) slope and (ii) intercept
of the lines depend?
Ans- The graph of stopping potential Vs and frequency (ν) for
two photosensitive materials 1 and 2 is shown in fig.
ℎ
(i)Slope of graph tan θ = 𝑐 universal constant.
(ii) Intercept of lines depend on the work function
Q.17 A proton and an alpha particle are accelerated through the same potential. Which one of the
two has (i) greater value of de Broglie wavelength associated with it and (ii) less kinetic energy?
Give reasons to justify your answer.
Ans-
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 122
Q.18 A proton and a deuteron are accelerated through the same accelerating potential. Which one
of the two has (i) greater value of de-Broglie wavelength associated with it, and (ii) less
momentum? Give reasons to justify your answer
Ans-
Q.19 An α-particle and a proton are accelerated from rest by the same potential. Find the ratio of
their de- Broglie wavelengths.
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 123
REVISION PAPER UNIT- XI–DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION & MATTER
Note: Q. No. 1-4 is of 01 mark each, Q. 5-6 is of 02 marks each, Q.No.7 is of 03 marks, Q. No. 8 is a case
study based and is of 04 marks, Q. No. 11 is of 5 marks.
S Question Ma
N rks
1 Kinetic energy of electrons emitted in photoelectric effect is 1
(a) directly proportional to the intensity of incident light.
(b) inversely proportional to the intensity of incident line.
(c) independent of the intensity of incident light.
(d) independent of the frequency of light.
2 Assertion (A): The energy (E) and momentum (p) of a photon are related as p = E/c 1
Reason (R): The photon behaves like a particle.
oo- Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
pp- Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not a correct explanation of assertion.
qq- Assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect
rr- Assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct.
3 A photoelectric cell is illuminated by a point source of light 1 m away. The plate emits electrons having 1
stopping potential V. Then:
(a) V decreases as distance increase
(b) V increases as distance increase
(c) V is independent of distance (r)
(d) V becomes zero when distance increases or decreases
4 Maximum kinetic energy (Ek) of a photoelectron varies with frequency (v) of the incident 1
radiation as
5 Write three characteristic features in photoelectric effect which cannot be explained on the basis 2
of wave theory of light, but can be explained only using Einstein’s equation.
6 Monochromatic light of frequency 6 × 1014 Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is 2.0 × 10–3 W. 2
How many photons per second on an average are emitted by the source?
7 Write Einstein’s photoelectric equation. State clearly the three salient features observed in photoelectric 3
effect which can explain on the basis of this equation.
The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons gets doubled when the wavelength of light incident on
the surface changes from 𝜆1 to 𝜆2 . Derive the expressions for the threshold wavelength 𝜆𝑜 and work
function for the metal surface.
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 125
Case study-based questions (questions no 8- 10) EINSTEIN THEORY 4
According to Einstein, when a photon of light of frequency v or wavelength λ is incident on a
photosensitive metal surface of work function W, where W, < hvO (here, h is Planck’s constant), then the
emission of photoelectrons takes place. The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons is
given by Kmax = hv — W. If the frequency of the incident light is v, called threshold frequency, the
photoelectrons are emitted from metal without any kinetic energy. So hvO =W.
8. Draw a graph showing variation of photo current with intensity of incident radiation. 1
9. Draw a graph showing variation of Kmax with frequency of incident radiation. 1
10. Find the Kmax when a metal surface of work function 3.3 eV is illuminated by light of
wavelength 300nm. 2
OR
10. Define work function. 2
11 Describe an experimental arrangement to study photoelectric effect. 2 5
Explain the effect of
(i) intensity of light on photoelectric current 1
(ii) potential on photoelectric current and 1
(iii) frequency of incident radiation on stopping potential. 1
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 126
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