PHYSICS UNIT 2

4. Particle nature of light n electron transition Questions

Q1. Ultraviolet light is incident on a zinc plate. If the photon energy is greater than the work function of
the zinc, electrons are released.
(a) State what is meant by work function.
(1)
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(b) The ultraviolet (UV) section of the electromagnetic spectrum can be split into three parts, known as
UVA, UVB and UVC. The range of wavelengths of these parts is given in the table.

The minimum de Broglie wavelength of the released electrons is 1.50 × 10-9 m.

Deduce whether the ultraviolet light incident upon the zinc plate is UVA, UVB or UVC.
work function of zinc = 4.30 eV
(6)
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(c) A student used a zinc plate and UV light of different frequencies in an experiment. The student's
graph of maximum kinetic energy of the released electrons against the frequency of the incident UV light
is shown.

Einstein's photoelectric equation applies to this situation.

Describe two ways that the graph is not consistent with the values known for a zinc plate. Your
answer should include calculations.
work function of zinc = 4.30 eV
(4)
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(Total for question = 11 marks)
Q2. * In the early 20th century, observations of the photoelectric effect demonstrated that light behaves
as a particle.
Explain how observations from the photoelectric effect demonstrate the particle nature of light.
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(Total for question = 6 marks)
Q3. Rolled steel joists (RSJs) are used in the construction of buildings, as shown.

The strength of an RSJ is greatly reduced if there are air gaps within the steel.
Ultrasound is used to detect any air gaps in the RSJ.
Pulses of ultrasound are sent by a transducer into an RSJ as shown. Any returning ultrasound is detected
by the transducer.

(a) Explain how this arrangement can be used to show whether the RSJ contains an air gap.(4)
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(b) Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency greater than 20 kHz. The frequency of ultrasound used
by the transducer in this method is 5 MHz.
Explain why a much higher frequency than 20 kHz is needed in this method.
(3)
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(Total for question = 7 marks)
Q4. Sirius A is the brightest star in the night sky and is mostly composed of hydrogen.
(a) When light from Sirius A passes through the hydrogen in the outer layers of the star, some light is
absorbed. This causes electrons in the hydrogen to be excited. The diagram shows an electron being
excited from the –3.40 eV level to the –1.50 eV level.

The wavelengths of the different colours of visible light are shown in the table below.

Deduce the colour of the visible light that caused the electron transition shown in the diagram.
(4)
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(b) A light year is the distance travelled by light in one year.
Sirius A is 8.60 light years from Earth. The intensity of radiation from Sirius A received on Earth
is 1.17 × 10–7 Wm–2.
Calculate the power of Sirius A.
(4)
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Power of Sirius A = ...........................................................
(c) When hydrogen gas is excited in the laboratory, only certain wavelengths of light are emitted.
Explain why.
(2)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)
Q5. The diagram shows an electron transition between two energy levels in a hydrogen atom.

Which of the following could not have caused this transition?

A The atom absorbing a photon with an energy of 13.6 eV.
B The atom absorbing a photon with an energy of 10.2 eV.
C An electron with a kinetic energy of 13.6 eV colliding with the atom.
D An electron with a kinetic energy of 10.2 eV colliding with the atom.
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q6. The de Broglie wavelength for a moving electron is 5.47 × 10–10 m.
Which of the following expressions gives the speed of the electron in m s–1?

(Total for question = 1 mark)