Question:

The work function for a certain metal is 4.2 eV. Will this metal give photoelectric emission for incident radiation of wavelength 330 nm?

Updated On: Sep 29, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is: No
Work function of the metal,\(ϕ_0=4.2eV\)
Charge on an electron, \(e=1.6×10^{−19}C\)
Planck’s constant, \(h=6.626×10^{−34}Js\)
Wavelength of the incident radiation, \(λ=330nm=330×10^{−9}m\)
Speed of light, \(c=3×10^8m/s\)
The energy of the incident photon is given as:
\(E=\frac{hc}{λ}\)
\(=\frac{6.626×10^{-34}×10^8}{330×10^{-9}}=6.0×10^{-19}J\)
\(=\frac{6.0×10^{-19}}{1.6×10^{-19}}=3.76eV\)
It can be observed that the energy of the incident radiation is less than the work function of the metal.Hence,no photoelectric emission will take
place.
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Concepts Used:

Photoelectric Effect

When light shines on a metal, electrons can be ejected from the surface of the metal in a phenomenon known as the photoelectric effect. This process is also often referred to as photoemission, and the electrons that are ejected from the metal are called photoelectrons.

Photoelectric Effect Formula:

According to Einstein’s explanation of the photoelectric effect :

The energy of photon = energy needed to remove an electron + kinetic energy of the emitted electron

i.e. hν = W + E

Where,

  • h is Planck’s constant.
  • ν is the frequency of the incident photon.
  • W is a work function.
  • E is the maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons: 1/2 mv².

Laws of Photoelectric Effect:

  1. The photoelectric current is in direct proportion to the intensity of light, for a light of any given frequency; (γ > γ Th).
  2. There exists a certain minimum (energy) frequency for a given material, called threshold frequency, below which the discharge of photoelectrons stops completely, irrespective of how high the intensity of incident light is.
  3. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons increases with the increase in the frequency (provided frequency γ > γ Th exceeds the threshold limit) of the incident light. The maximum kinetic energy is free from the intensity of light. 
  4. The process of photo-emission is an instantaneous process.