Electrons and Photons

1. In the photoelectric effect on metals, an increase in the frequency of incident radiation increases
A. rate of emission.
B. threshold frequency.
C. work function of the metal.
D. velocity of emitted electrons.
Ans.: velocity of emitted electrons
2. 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
A. 3.10 x107 nm .
B. 3.10 x107 cm .
C. 310nm .
D. 310m .
Ans.: 310nm
3. The work function of photons for photoelectric emission from a metal is 0.05 eV. Find the
threshold frequency.
Solution:
Work function is given by
w h0
w
0
h
0.05 x1.6 x1019

6.6 x1034
13
= 1.2 x 10 Hz
4. Obtain an expression for e of electron in terms of and V when an electron is accelerated
m
from the rest through a potential difference of V volts and it acquires a final velocity m .
s
Answer:
1
eV m 2
2
e 2 c

m 2V kg
5. Explain the wave particle duality of radiation.
Answer:
Phenomenon like interference, diffraction and polarisation shows that electro-magnetic radiation
has wave nature. Whereas photoelectric effect and Compton effects show that radiation has
particle nature. It is emitted or absorbed in the form of discrete quanta called photons.

6. Calculate the maximum frequency and corresponding wavelength of X-rays produced in a tube
maintained at 13.26 KV.
Answer:
eV
Maximum frequency ( f max )
h
19
3
1.6 x10 x13.26 x10

6.63x1034
= 3.2 x 1018 Hz

Corresponding wavelengths (min )

0
3 x108
C
10

0.9375
x
10
m

0.94
A
f max
3.2 x1018

7. Compton shift depends on scattering angle of recoil electron. (True or False)

h
(1 Cos )
Answer: True,
m0 c
8. Derive the relation between the energy and the momentum of a photon.
Answer: E mc 2
P mc so E pc
p

E
c

9. An X-ray tube is operated at 18 kV. Calculate the maximum velocity of the striking electrons and
the minimum wavelength of the X-ray produced.
Solution:
KE of the electron is due to the potential applied.
1 2
mv 18 KeV
2
28.8 x1016 J
1 2
mv 28.8 x10 15 J
2
2.88 x1015 x 2
2
v
9.1x1031
v 2 0.633 x1016 so
v 0.796 x108 m / s
OR
v 7.96 x107 m / s
hC
min
eV
6.63 x1034 x3 x108

1.6 x10 19 x18000

6.91x1011 m

10. How does photoelectric effect reject the wave nature of light?
Answer:
According to wave theory, energy of electron increases with the intensity of light but
according to photoelectric effect the energy of the emitted electron is independent of the light
intensity.

Wave theory states that light of any frequency ejects electrons from a surface but according to
photoelectric effect, frequency lower than a certain threshold value wont eject
photoelectrons.

 According to wave theory, if the incident light is very weak, the electrons take time before it
gets emitted from the surface but according to photoelectric effect emission of photoelectrons
is instantaneous.
11. A transmitter operates on a wave length of 1200 m at a power of 300 kW. Find the energy of the
radio photons in joule.
Answer: The energy of a radio photon of wave length =1200m is given by
hC
E=

(6.610-34 JS)(3.0108 ms -1 )

=1.6510-28J
1200m
12. An electron beam moving with a velocity of 106 m/s passes between two parallel plates having an
electric field of 4 v/cm. Find the magnetic field required to keep this beam un-deflected.
Answer:
The V = 106 m/s and E = 4 v/cm = 4 102 v/m
If B is the magnetic field required to keep the electron beam un-deflected then
E
E
v=
B=
B
v
400 v/m
= 6
=410-4 T
10 m/s
13. Why is the wave nature of matter not apparent in our daily observation? Support your answer
with an example.
Answer: The value of de-Broglie wave length associated with a moving particle is given by
h
=
mv
Consider a ball of 0.5 kg with velocity of 10 m/s,
h
=
mv
0.62510-34 J.s
=
=1.325 10-34 m
0.5 kg10 m/s

is very small as compared to the size hence wave nature of matter is not apparent.

14. The de-Broglie wavelength of an electron of kinetic energy 100 eV will be

0

A. 12.27 A .
0

B. 122.7 A .
0

C. 1.227 A .
0

D. 0.1227 A .

Answer: C: 1.227 A .
15. No photoelectrons can be liberated from a metal surface, if the wave length of the incident light
exceeds a certain value. Why?
Answer:

If the energy of the incident light photon, which decreases with increasing wave length (E= hc )

is less than the work function of the metal, photo electric emission cannot occur.
16. The potential difference between the cathode and the target electrode in a Coolidge tube is 24.75
kV. Calculate the
a) Minimum wavelength of the emitted X-ray photon
b) Momentum of this photon
Answer:
Wavelength
min =

6.6 1034 3 108

hc
= 0.510-10 m

eV 1.6 1019 24.75 103

Momentum

p=

min

6.6 1034
=1.3210-23 kg ms-1
10
0.5 10