Question

The correct curve between stopping potential \( V_0 \) and intensity of incident radiation \( I \) at constant frequency is:

• A.

  

• B.

  

• C.

  

• D.

  

Hint:

For the photoelectric effect, the stopping potential depends on the frequency of light, not its intensity. Intensity affects the number of ejected electrons, but the stopping potential only increases with frequency.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

According to the photoelectric effect, the stopping potential \( V_0 \) is related to the intensity of the incident radiation by the equation: \[ V_0 = \frac{h}{e} \left( \nu - \nu_0 \right) \] At constant frequency, increasing intensity does not increase the energy per photon but increases the number of photons striking the surface, which in turn increases the number of electrons ejected. However, after a certain intensity threshold, increasing intensity does not change the stopping potential significantly, causing the curve to level off. This is why the correct curve is an initial sharp increase followed by leveling off.