PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

QUESTION 11 (Start on a new page)

A learner conducts an experiment to determine which metal(s) will release electrons

when green light of WAVELENGTH 510 nm is shone on it. The table below shows the
different metals used in the experiment with their respective work functions.

Metal Work Function (J)

Gold 8,16 x 10–19

Aluminium 6,88 x 10–19

Sodium 4,32 x 10–19

Caesium 3,36 x 10–19

11.1 Calculate the energy of a photon of green light. (4)

11.2 Using the data from the above table, identify the metal(s) which will
release photoelectrons when green light is shone onto their surfaces.
Explain your answer. (2)
11.3 Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of a photoelectron when green
light shines onto the metal in question 11.2. (3)
11.4 The intensity of the green light is DOUBLED. State the effect that this
has on each of the following:
(Choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME)
11.4.1 The work function of each metal (1)
11.4.2 The maximum kinetic energy of each emitted photoelectron (1)
11.4.3 The energy of each photon of green light (1)

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QUESTION 11 (Start on a new page.)

11.1 In an experiment on the photoelectric effect, light is incident on the surface of

a metal and electrons are ejected.

11.1.1 What does the photoelectric effect indicate about the nature of (1)
light?

11.1.2 The intensity of the light is increased. Will the maximum speed of
the ejected electrons INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE
SAME? Give a reason for the answer.
(2)

The wavelength corresponding with the threshold frequency is referred to as

threshold wavelength.

The table below gives the values of threshold wavelengths for three different
metals.

METAL THRESHOLD WAVELENGTH (λ0) IN METRES

Silver 2,88 x 10-7

Calcium 4,32 x 10-7

Sodium 5,37 x 10-7

In the experiment using one of the metals above, the maximum speed
of the ejected electrons was recorded as 4,76 x 10 5 m·s-1 for light of
wavelength 420 nm.

11.1.3 Identify the metal used in the experiment by means of suitable

calculations.
(5)

11.2 The simplified energy diagrams showing the possible electron transitions in
an atom are shown below.
Increasing energy
E3
Q
S
E2

E1

E0

Using the letters P, Q, R and S, identify the lines that CORRECTLY show
transitions that will result in the atom giving off an EMISSION SPECTRUM.
Give a reason for the answer. (4)

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QUESTION 11 (Start on a new page.)

During an investigation, light of different frequencies is shone onto the metal cathode
of a photocell. The kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons is measured. The
graph below shows the results obtained.

Graph of kinetic energy versus frequency

Kinetic energy (J)

E1

0
0 5 x 1014 10 x 1014 15 x 1014
Frequency (Hz)

11.1 For this investigation, write down the following:

11.1.1 Dependent variable (1)

11.1.2 Independent variable (1)

11.1.3 Controlled variable (1)

11.2 Define the term threshold frequency. (2)

11.3 Use the graph to obtain the threshold frequency of the metal used as cathode
in the photocell. (1)

11.4 Calculate the kinetic energy at E1 shown on the graph.

(4)
11.5 How would the kinetic energy calculated in QUESTION 11.4 be affected if
light of higher intensity is used? Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES
or REMAINS THE SAME.
(1)
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QUESTION 11 (Start on a new page.)

During an investigation, light of different frequencies is shone onto the metal cathode
of a photocell. The kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons is measured. The
graph below shows the results obtained.

Graph of kinetic energy versus frequency

Kinetic energy (J)

E1

0
0 5 x 1014 10 x 1014 15 x 1014
Frequency (Hz)

11.1 For this investigation, write down the following:

11.1.1 Dependent variable (1)

11.1.2 Independent variable (1)

11.1.3 Controlled variable (1)

11.2 Define the term threshold frequency. (2)

11.3 Use the graph to obtain the threshold frequency of the metal used as cathode
in the photocell. (1)

11.4 Calculate the kinetic energy at E1 shown on the graph.

(4)

11.5 How would the kinetic energy calculated in QUESTION 11.4 be affected if
light of higher intensity is used? Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES
or REMAINS THE SAME.
(1)
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QUESTION 11 (Start on a new page)

Learners
perform an
experiment to
investigate the
effect of the
wavelength of
light on the
photo-electric
effect. They
irradiate a metal
disc M with three
light sources of
different
wavelengths and
note the ejection
of the
photoelectrons
from the metal.
The results
obtained are
shown in the
table below:

Light Wavelength (×10- Ejection of photoelectrons

9
m)
Source

Electrons ejected and moving away from

A 480
the metal

B 620 No electrons ejected

Electrons ejected and NOT moving away

C 570
from the metal

11.1 Define the

photo-electric
effect in words. (2)

11.2 Write down an

investigative
question for this
experiment. (2)

11.3 Give a reason (2)

why light source
A and not light
source B will
 eject electrons
from the metal
disc M.

11.4 Calculate the

work function of
the metal M. (3)

11.5 Calculate the

maximum speed
with which the
electrons will be
ejected from the
metal disc M
when it is
irradiated with
light source A. (5)

11.6 Light source A is

BLUE light and
light source B is
ORANGE light.
Which colour is
possibly light
source C?
Choose only
between
VIOLET,
GREEN or RED. (1)
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QUESTION 10 (Begin on a new page.)

The diagram below shows a circuit in which a photocell is irradiated alternately with red and
blue light to demonstrate the photo-electric effect.

Incident light

e-

10.1 An ammeter reading is recorded when the photocell is irradiated

with red light. Give an explanation for this observation. (2)

10.2 Blue light with the same intensity as the red light is now used to
irradiate the photocell. How will this influence the following:

10.2.1 The kinetic energy of the photo-electrons (Write down only

INCREASE, DECREASE or STAYS THE SAME.) (1)

10.2.2 The ammeter reading. (Write down only INCREASE,

DECREASE or STAYS THE SAME.) Give an explanation
for your answer. (4)

10.3 The wavelength of the blue light used in the demonstration is 4,5 x 10-7
m. Calculate the threshold frequency (cut-off frequency) of the metal
used in the photo cell if the average speed of an emitted photo-electron
is equal to 4,78 x 105 m·s-1. (6)
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QUESTION 11 (Start on a new page)
A learner investigates the relationship between the kinetic energy of photoelectrons and
frequency when light is incident on a metal surface. The graph obtained by the learner
was found to cut the x – axis at f0 = 5 x 1014 Hz.

Light vacuum
Graph of kinetic energy versus frequency

Ek
(x
10
µ Sensitive –19 11
A J)
Ammeter

f (Hz)
f0 f1

11.1 Is the metal, on which the light is incident, a cathode or an anode? (1)
11.2 What physical quantity does f0 represent? (1)
11.3 Define the term work function. (2)
11.4 Calculate the work function of the metal. (3)
11.5 Calculate frequency, f1, as shown on the graph. (5)
11.6 Does f0 INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME when
different frequencies of light are used? (1)

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