Modern Physics Test II – QM Basics

Total Marks: 25; Total Time: 45 mins; Total Questions: 15

The Test is divided into 3 SECTIONS

1. MCQ - There are 10 Questions in MCQ. Each question contains only ONE correct
option. Negative marking for wrong answers. 5 questions are of 1 mark each (-
0.33) and another 5 questions are or 2 marks each (-0.66)

2. MSQ - There are 2 Questions in MSQ. Each question contains one or more than
one correct option. No negative marking, or partial marking. Marks will be
rewarded if all correct options are ticked.

3. NAT - There are 3 Questions. Answers are Numerical Answer type. Enter a
number. Correct answer must fall within appropriate range. No negative
marking.

Q1. In a photoelectric effect experiment, two metal surfaces, aluminium (work

function = 4.1eV) and magnesium (work function = 3.7eV) are illuminated by
ultraviolet light of same wavelength. If stopping potential of aluminium is
measured to be 1.9V, what is the stopping potential for Magnesium ?
(a) 2.7V (b) 1.9 V (c) 2.3 V (d) 4.5 V

Ans. For Aluminium, ℎ𝜈 = 𝑒𝑉𝐴 + 𝑊𝐴

For Magnesium, ℎ𝜈 = 𝑒𝑉𝑀 + 𝑊𝑀

So, 𝑒𝑉𝐴 + 𝑊𝐴 = 𝑒𝑉𝑀 + 𝑊𝑀

⇒ 𝑒(1.9 𝑉) + 4.1𝑒𝑉 = 𝑒(𝑉𝑀 ) + 3.7𝑒𝑉
⇒ 6𝑒𝑉 − 3.7𝑒𝑉 = 𝑒𝑉𝑀
⇒ 𝑒𝑉𝑀 = 2.3𝑒𝑉 ⇒ 𝑉𝑀 = 2.3 𝑉 Ans. (c)

Q2. The kinetic energy of a Hydrogen and Deuterium nuclei are equal. If the
deBroglie wavelength of Hydrogen nuclei is 𝜆𝐻 , then what is the approximate
deBroglie wavelength of Deuterium nuclei, 𝜆𝐷 ? (consider non-relativistic case)
𝜆 𝜆
(a) 𝐻 (b) √2𝜆𝐻 (c) 2𝐻 (d) 2𝜆𝐻
√2

ℎ
Ans. We know 𝜆 =
√2𝑀𝐾𝐸
𝜆𝐷 ℎ √2𝑀𝐻 𝐾𝐸𝐻
So, = × (𝐾𝐸𝐻 = 𝐾𝐸𝐷 ) and (𝑀𝐷 ≃ 2𝑀𝐻 )
𝜆𝐻 √2𝑀𝐷 𝐾𝐸𝐷 ℎ
𝑀 𝑀 1
= √𝑀𝐻 = √2𝑀𝐻 =
𝐷 𝐻 √2
𝜆𝐻
⇒ 𝜆𝐷 = Ans. (a)
√2
Q3. The spectrum of a Blackbody at two temperatures 27°C and 627°C are shown

𝐴2
Let 𝐴1 and 𝐴2 be the areas under the two curves respectively. The value of is?
𝐴1
(a) 32 (b) 64 (c) 811 (d) 144

Ans. Area under curve ≈Total Power (at a given instant)

We know, Power ∝ 𝑇 4 (Stefan’s Law)
𝑃1 𝑇4 𝐴 𝑇4 627+273 𝐾 4 900 𝐾 4
So, = 𝑇14 ⇒ 𝐴2 = 𝑇24 = ( 27+273 𝐾 ) = (300 𝐾) = 81
𝑃2 2 1 1

Ans. (c)

Q4. The relationship between the angular frequency 𝜔 and wave number 𝑘 of the
matter wave associated with a particle is 𝜔 = 𝑐𝑘 2 , where 𝑐 is some constant.
What is the group velocity of the matter wave?

Ans. 𝜔 = 𝑐𝑘 2
𝑑𝜔
⇒ 𝑑𝑘 = 𝑐(2𝑘) ⇒ 𝑣𝑔 = 2𝑐𝑘
Ans. (d)

Q5. A particle is moving along the x-axis under the experience of an unknown
potential. Which of the following is an acceptable wavefunction for the particle?

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Ans. The wavefunction should be single-valued, finite, continuous, and square-

integrable. Hence, it must go to zero at ± ∞. All these conditions are being
satisfied only by option (a). Hence, Ans. (a)
Q6. An electron microscope is a microscope that uses a beam of electrons to
observe small objects. What should be the energy of electrons, to resolve the
separation of 0.27nm?
(a) 12.5eV (b) 15.2eV (c) 20.7eV (d) 24.6eV

Ans. To resolve a separation of 0.27 nm, the electron-beam matter-wave must have
a de Broglie wavelength of 0.27nm.
ℎ
𝑝 = 𝜆 and
𝑝2 1 ℎ 2 ℎ2
𝐸 = 2𝑚 = 2𝑚 (𝜆) = 2𝑚𝜆2
6.626×10−34 ×6.626×10−34 43.901×10−68
= 2×9.1×10−31 ×0.27×10−9×0.27×10−9×1.6×10−19 = 2.123×10−31−18−19
= 20.68 × 10−68+68
≈ 20.7𝑒𝑉 Ans. (c)

Q7. A photon of energy 3keV collides elastically with an electron initially at rest. If the
photon emerges at an angle of 60°, what is the angle at which the electron
recoils?
(a) 59.9° (b) 71.7° (c) 43.5° (d) 39.7°

Ans. 𝐸𝜆 = 3𝑘𝑒𝑉 = 3 × 103 𝑒𝑉 = 3 × 103 × 1.6 × 10−19 𝐽 = 4.8 × 10−16 𝐽

or, ℎ𝜈 = 4.8 × 10−16 𝐽
ℎ𝑐
or, 𝜆 = 4.8 × 10−16 𝐽
6.626×10−34 ×3×108
or, 𝜆 = = 4.14 × 10−10 𝑚
4.8×10−16

Compton effect,
ℎ 6.626×10−34
𝜆′ − 𝜆 = 𝑚 𝑐 (1 − cos𝜃) = 9.1×10−31 ×3×108 (1 − cos 60∘ )
0
= 0.243 × 10−11 (1 − 0.5) = 0.5 × 0.243 × 10−11
= 0.012 × 10−10 𝑚
or, 𝜆′ = 𝜆 + 0.012 × 10−10 𝑚
= (4.14 + 0.012)Å
= 4.152Å

To obtain election recoil angle, use momentum

conservation,
(i) 𝑝 = 𝑝𝑒 cosϕ + 𝑝′ cos𝜃 ⇒ 𝑝𝑒 cosϕ = 𝑝 − 𝑝′ cos𝜃
(ii) 0 = 𝑝𝑒 sinϕ − 𝑝′sin𝜃 ⇒ 𝑝𝑒 sinϕ = 𝑝′sin𝜃
𝑝 sinϕ 𝑝′ sin𝜃 sin𝜃 sin𝜃
So, 𝑝 𝑒cosϕ = 𝑝−𝑝′ cos𝜃 = 𝑝/𝑝′ −cos𝜃 ⇒ 𝜙 = tan−1 (𝑝/𝑝′ −cos)
𝑒
𝑝 ℎ 𝜆′ 4.152
Here, 𝑝′ = 𝜆 × = = 1.003
ℎ 4.14
sin60∘ 0.87
So, 𝜙 = tan−1 (1.003−cos60∘ ) = tan−1 (0.503) = 59. 9∘ Ans. (a)
Q8. Consider a one-dimensional potential well of width 1nm. Using Uncertainty
Principle, estimate the approx. minimum depth of the well so that it has at least
one bound electron.
(a) 10μeV (b) 10meV (c) 10eV (d) 100eV

Ans. 𝑥min = 𝛥𝑥 = 1nm = 10−9 𝑚

ℏ 6.626 × 10−34
𝑝𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝛥𝑝 = = = 0.5275 × 10−25
2𝛥𝑥 2 × 3.14 × 22 × 10−9
(pmin )2 (0.5275×10−25 ) 0.0153×10−19
so, 𝐾𝐸 = = = = 0.00956 = 9.56 𝑚𝑒𝑉
2𝑚 2×9.1×10−31 1.6×10−19
Ans. (b)

Q9. The probability that a quantum mechanical particle lies between 𝑥 and 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 is
given as 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 where 0 < 𝑥 < ∞. What is the probability that it lies
between 𝑥1 = 1𝑚 and 𝑥2 = 2𝑚 ?
(a) 𝑒 −1 + 𝑒 −2 (b) 𝑒 −1 − 𝑒 −2 (c) 𝑒 −1 (𝑒 −1 − 𝑒 −2 ) (d) 𝑒 −2 (𝑒 −1 + 𝑒 −2 )

Ans. 𝑝(𝑥) = |𝜓|2 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Probability for particle to be found between 𝑥1 & 𝑥2
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
∫𝑥1 |𝜓|2 𝑑𝑥 ∫𝑥1 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 ∫𝑥1 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥
2 2 2
[−𝑒 −𝑥 ]𝑥𝑥12 𝑒 −𝑥2 − 𝑒 −𝑥1
𝑃= ∞ = ∞ = = =
∫−∞ |𝜓|2 𝑑𝑥
0 ∞
∫−∞ 0 𝑑𝑥 + ∫0 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 ∫0 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 [−𝑒 −𝑥 ]∞
0 𝑒 −∞ − 𝑒 0
−𝑥2 −𝑥1
𝑒 −𝑒
= = 𝑒 −𝑥1 − 𝑒 −𝑥2
−1
= 𝑒 −1 − 𝑒 −2 Ans. (b)
2
Q10. Given a wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 , where 𝜆 is a constant, find the
normalization constant 𝐴.
2𝜆 4 2𝜆 𝜆 4 𝜆
(a) √ 𝜋 (b) √ 𝜋 (c) √𝜋 (d) √𝜋

Ans. Born's statistical interpretation,

+∞ +∞ 2
∫−∞ 𝜓(𝑥)∗ 𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1 ⇒ ∫−∞ 𝐴2 𝑒 −2𝜆𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 1
+∞ 2 +∞ 2 𝜋
⇒ 𝐴2 ∫−∞ 𝑒 −(2𝜆)𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 1 where ∫−∞ 𝑒 −𝑐𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = √
𝑐
𝜋 2𝜆 1/4
⇒ 𝐴2 √2𝜆 = 1 ⇒ 𝐴 = ( 𝜋 ) Ans (b)

Q11. In a photoelectric effect experiment, a monochromatic light of suitable

wavelength coming from a source, falls on a metal surface. A current is
generated by the photoelectrons ejected from the surface. Which of the
following statement(s) is/ are INCORRECT?
(a) Decreasing the wavelength of the incident light increases the current in the
circuit.
(b) Decreasing the intensity of incident light decreases the stopping potential.
 (c) Exposing the metal surface to the incident light for longer duration increases
the stopping potential.
(d) Adding another light of higher wavelength to the incident radiation,
increases the stopping potential.

Ans. (a), (b), (c), (d)

𝜋𝑥
𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝐿 ) 0 < 𝑥 < ∞.
Q12. Wavefunction of a particle in is given by 𝜓(𝑥) = {
0 otherwise
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
2
(a) The normalization constant 𝑁 = √𝐿
𝐿 3𝐿
(b) The probability of finding the particle in the range < 𝑥 < is 0.82
4 4
1
(c) The normalization constant 𝑁 = √𝐿
𝐿 3𝐿
(d) The probability of finding the particle in the range 4 < 𝑥 < is 0.51
4

Ans. (i) Normalization

𝐿
∫0 |𝜓(𝑥)|2 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝐿 𝜋𝑥 1−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2
⇒ 𝑁 2 ∫0 sin2 ( 𝐿 ) 𝑑𝑥 = 1 where cos(2) = 1 − 2sin2  ⇒ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2  = ( )
2
𝐿 1 1 2𝜋𝑥
⇒ 𝑁 2 ∫0 (2 − 2 cos ( )) 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝐿
1 𝐿 1 𝐿 2𝜋𝑥
⇒ 𝑁 2 [2 ∫0 𝑑𝑥 − 2 ∫0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 ] = 1
𝐿
𝐿 𝐿
⇒ 𝑁 2 [2 − 4𝜋 {sin(2𝜋) − sin(0)}] = 1
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 2
⇒ 𝑁 2 [2 − 4𝜋 (0 − 0)] = 1 ⇒ 𝑁 2 (2) = 1 ⇒ 𝑁 = √𝐿 Correct option (a)

(ii) Probability
3𝐿/4 𝜋𝑥 2 1 3𝐿/4 1 3𝐿/4 2𝜋𝑥
𝑃 = 𝑁 2 ∫𝐿/4 sin2 ( 𝐿 ) 𝑑𝑥 = (𝐿) [2 ∫𝐿/4 𝑑𝑥 − 2 ∫𝐿/4 cos ( 𝐿 ) 𝑑𝑥]
2 1 3𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 2𝜋 3𝐿 2𝜋 𝐿
= (𝐿) [2 ( 4 − 4) − 4𝜋 [sin ( 𝐿 × ) − sin ( 𝐿 × 4)]]
4
2 𝐿 𝐿 6𝜋 𝜋
= (𝐿) [4 − 4𝜋 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 4 ) − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2 )]
1 1
= 2 − 2𝜋 (−1 − 1)
1 2 1 1
= + = + = 0.82 Correct option (b)
2 2𝜋 2 𝜋

Q13. If 5 electron waves completely fit in an orbit in a hydrogen atom, what would be
the value of angular momentum, according to Bohr model, in terms of ℏ? ____
(answer should be an integer)

Ans. Bohr's condition of stability,

𝐿 = 𝑚𝑣𝑟 = 𝑛ℏ
𝑛ℎ
⇒ 𝑚𝑣𝑟 = 𝑛ℏ = 2𝜋
ℎ
⇒ 2𝜋𝑟 = 𝑛 𝑚𝑣 = 𝑛𝜆
 Since 2𝜋𝑟 = 5𝜆 (𝑛 = 5)
So, 𝑚𝑣𝑟 = 5ℏ Ans. (5)

Q14. A 1mW He-Ne laser which emits light of 633nm is incident on a metal surface.
If 10% of the photons can successfully cause photoelectric effect, what is the
current due to the emitted photoelectrons, in μA? ______

Ans. Power = Energy per unit time = 1 𝑚𝑊 = 1 × 10−3 𝐽/sec

ℎ𝑐 6.626×10−34 ×3×108
Energy of photon = ℎ𝜈 = 𝜆 = 633×10−9
= 0.0314 × 10−17 𝐽
1×10−3
In one second, no. of photons in incident light = 0.0314×10−17 = 31.847 × 1014
𝑞 𝑛𝑒 10% 𝑜f (31.847×1014 ×1.6×10−19 )
Current = = =
𝑡 𝑡 1
= 5.095 × 10−5 = 50.1 × 10−6 𝐴 = 50.1𝜇𝐴 Ans. (50.1)

Q15. The Kinetic energy of an electron whose de-Broglie wavelength is 1

Angstrom is _____ eV (answer should be nearest integer)
2
𝑝2 1 ℎ 2 (6.626×10−34 ) 1
Ans. 𝐾𝐸 = 2𝑚 = 2𝑚 ( 𝜆) = 2×9.1×10−34 ×(10−10 )2 × 1.6×10−19
= 1.50 × 102 = 150𝑒𝑉 Ans (150)