Questions on the Photoelectric Effect

Q3.

a)

(i) Explain the meaning of the term 'work function' of a metal.

(ii) State what you would need to change in an experiment to investigate the effect of the work function on the photoelectric effect.

(3 marks)

(b) Experiments based on the photoelectric effect support the particle theory of light. State one conclusion drawn from these experiments and explain how it supports the particle theory.

(2 marks)

(c) Monochromatic light of wavelength 4.80 × 10–7 m falls onto a metal surface which has a work function of 1.20 × 10–19 J. Calculate

(i) the energy, in J, of a single photon of this light,

(ii) the maximum kinetic energy, in J, of an electron emitted from the surface.

(5 marks)

(Total 10 marks)