(a) When illuminated with electromagnetic waves, a metal surface can exhibit the photoelectric

1 effect. The maximum wavelength that causes the emission of photoelectrons with zero
kinetic energy is 6.8 × 10–7 m.

(i) Show that the threshold frequency for the surface is approximately 4.4 × 1014 Hz.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Show that the work function for the surface is approximately 2.9 × 10–19 J.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(iii) Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted from the surface when it
is illuminated with ultraviolet radiation of frequency 7.8 × 1014 Hz.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

maximum kinetic energy ____________________ J

(2)

Page 1 of 24
 (b) Explain why the photoelectric effect cannot be explained by the wave theory of light.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

In the photoelectric effect, electromagnetic radiation incident on a metal surface causes electrons
2 to be emitted from the surface.

(a) State and explain one aspect of the photoelectric effect that suggests the existence of
photons.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Ultra-violet radiation of wavelength 320 nm falls on a sodium surface. Sodium has a work
function of 3.7 × 10–19 J.

speed of electromagnetic radiation, c = 3.0 × 108 m s–1

the Planck constant, h = 6.6 × 10–34 J s

mass of an electron, me = 9.1 × 10–31 kg

(i) State what is meant by the work function of a surface.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 2 of 24
 (ii) Show that the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons emitted from the sodium due
to the incident ultra-violet radiation is about 2.5 × 10–19 J.
(2)

(iii) Determine the de Broglie wavelength associated with the emitted electrons.
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

The diagram below shows electrons being fired at a polycrystalline graphite target in a vacuum.
3 The electrons are emitted from a heated cathode and pass through an accelerating p.d. The
inside surface on the far side of the chamber is coated with fluorescent material that emits light
when the electrons release their energy to it.

Mass of electron me = 9.1 × 10–31 kg

Planck constant h = 6.6 × 10–34 J s

(a) The electrons travel at a speed of 4.0 × 107 m s–1. Calculate their de Broglie wavelength.

(1)

(b) Sketch on the front view of the fluorescent screen shown in the diagram the pattern of light
you would expect to see emitted by the fluorescent material.

Explain why this pattern suggests that electrons have wave-like properties.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 3 of 24
 (c) Explain one aspect of the experiment that suggests that electrons have particle-like
properties.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

(a) In the photoelectric effect equation

4
hf = ϕ + Ek

state what is meant by

hf _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

ϕ _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Ek ________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

Page 4 of 24
 (b) Monochromatic light of wavelength 3.80 × 10−7 m falls with an intensity of 6.0 μW m−2 on to
a metallic surface whose work function is 3.2 × 10−19 J.
Using data from the Data Sheet, calculate

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

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) the number of photons emitted per second from 1.0 × 10–6 m2 of the surface if a
photon has a 1 in 1000 chance of ejecting an electron,

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iii) the maximum kinetic energy which one of these photoelectrons could possess.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 8 marks)

(a) Describe how the concept of energy levels is useful in the explanation of line spectra.
5
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

Page 5 of 24
(b) The diagram represents some energy levels of the mercury atom.

__________________________________ 0

__________________________________ –1.6 eV

__________________________________ –3.7 eV

__________________________________ –5.5 eV

__________________________________ –10.4 eV ground state

charge of electron = 1.6 × 10–19 C

the Planck constant = 6.6 × 10–34 J s
speed of light in vacuo = 3.0 × 108 m s–1

(i) What is the ionisation energy, in J, of the mercury atom?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Determine which transition corresponds to the emission of radiation of wavelength

141 nm.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iii) State the region of the spectrum in which you would expect to find radiation of this
wavelength.

______________________________________________________________
(7)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 6 of 24
 Electrons may be emitted when electromagnetic radiation is incident on a metallic surface
6
(a) The photoelectric equation is

hf = ϕ + Ek,

where h is the Planck constant and f is the frequency of the incident radiation.

Explain the meanings of

work function, ϕ ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Ek _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) In a typical experiment to investigate the photoelectric effect, Ek was measured for photons
of different wavelengths, λ ,and the values in the table were obtained.

λ/nm 200 300 400 500 600

Ek × 10–19/J 6.72 3.30 1.68 0.66 0.05

(i) By rearranging the photoelectric equation, show that a graph of Ek (y-axis) plotted

against (x-axis) will give a straight line.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Use the above data to plot this graph on the grid provided and use your graph to
determine values for ϕ, in eV, and the Planck constant, h.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 7 of 24
 (9)

(c) Using the same axes, sketch the graph which you would expect to obtain if the experiment
were repeated with a metal having a larger value of ϕ.
(2)

(d) In a simple demonstration of the photoelectric effect, a metal plate is given a negative
charge and illuminated with, in turn,

(i) red light from a laser,

Page 8 of 24
 (ii) an ultraviolet lamp.

The ultraviolet lamp causes the plate to lose charge but the laser has no effect. Explain
why this is so.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

(a) Electrons and electromagnetic waves exhibit properties of both waves and particles.
7 Suggest evidence which indicates that

(i) electrons have wave properties,

______________________________________________________________

(ii) electromagnetic radiation has particle properties,

______________________________________________________________

(iii) electromagnetic radiation has wave properties.

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron travelling at 5.0 × 106 m s–1. You should
ignore relativistic effects.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

The photoelectric effect is one piece of evidence that suggests that light behaves like a stream of
8 particles or photons.

(a) State what is meant by the threshold frequency in an experiment to investigate the
photoelectric effect.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 9 of 24
 (b) State and explain the effect of increasing the intensity of light on the rate at which electrons
are emitted.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) In an experiment to investigate the photoelectric effect the radiation incident on the surface
caused the emission of electrons of energy 1.5 × 10−19 J. The work function of the surface
was known to be 3.2 × 10−19 J.

The Planck constant h is 6.6 × 10−34 J s.

The speed of electromagnetic radiation is 3.0 × 108 m s−1.
The mass of an electron is 9.1 × 10−31 kg.

(i) Calculate the wavelength of the incident radiation.

(2)

(ii) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of the emitted electrons.

(3)
(Total 9 marks)

(a) Calculate the wavelength of a γ-ray photon which has an energy of 1.6 × 10−15 J.
9
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) An X-ray photon is generated which has the same energy as the γ-ray photon described in
part (a).

(i) How do the speeds in a vacuum of these two photons compare?

______________________________________________________________

(ii) How do their abilities to penetrate a given material compare?

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

(a) (i) State what is meant by the wave-particle duality of electromagnetic radiation.
10
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 10 of 24
 (ii) Which aspect of the dual nature of electromagnetic radiation is demonstrated by the
photoelectric effect?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) A metal plate is illuminated with ultra violet radiation of frequency 1.67 × 1015 Hz. The
maximum kinetic energy of the liberated electrons is 3.0 × 10–19 J.

(i) Calculate the work function of the metal.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) The radiation is maintained at the same frequency but the intensity is doubled. State
what changes, if any, occur to the number of electrons released per second and to
the maximum kinetic energy of these electrons.

number per second ______________________________________________

maximum kinetic energy __________________________________________

(iii) The metal plate is replaced by another metal plate of different material. When
illuminated by radiation of the same frequency no electrons are liberated. Explain
why this happens and what can be deduced about the work function of the new
metal.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(8)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 11 of 24
 In a photoelectric experiment, light is incident on the metal surface of a photocell. Increasing the
11 intensity of the illumination at the surface leads to an increase in the

A work function

B minimum frequency at which electrons are emitted

C current through the photocell

D speed of the electrons

(Total 1 mark)

An electron has a kinetic energy E and a de Broglie wavelength λ. The kinetic energy is
12
increased to 4E. What is the new de Broglie wavelength?

C λ

D 4λ
(Total 1 mark)

Monochromatic radiation from a source of light (source A) is shone on to a metallic surface and
13 electrons are emitted from the surface. When a second source (source B) is used no electrons
are emitted from the metallic surface. Which property of the radiation from source A must be
greater than that from source B?

A amplitude

B frequency

C intensity

D wavelength
(Total 1 mark)

Page 12 of 24
 When comparing X-rays with UV radiation, which statement is correct?
14

A X-rays have a lower frequency.

B X-rays travel faster in a vacuum.

C X-rays do not show diffraction and interference effects.

Using the same element, photoelectrons emitted using

D
X-rays have the greater maximum kinetic energy.

(Total 1 mark)

The intensity of a monochromatic light source is increased. Which of the following is correct?
15
Energy of an emitted Number of photons
photon emitted per second

A increases increases

B increases unchanged

C unchanged increases

D unchanged unchanged

(Total 1 mark)

Page 13 of 24
Mark schemes
(a) (i) f = c/λ seen in this form
1
C1

4.41 × 1014 seen

A1
2

(ii) Φ = hf

C1

2.917 × 10–19 to 2.93 × 10–19 seen

A1
2

(iii) h(7.8 × 1014) – their (ii)

C1

2.2 × 10–19 (J) to 2.3 × 10–19 (J)

A1
2

(b) no photoemission below threshold frequency (even with

bright light)

B1

wave theory would allow gradual accumulation of energy

to cause emission

B1
2
[8]

Page 14 of 24
 (a) relevant observation explains why this supports photons or
2 does not support waves

Examples

electrons are emitted with no noticeable delay

if wave theory time would elapse while an electron gains sufficient

energy to leave the surface or wtte

there is a threshold frequency below which there are no electrons emitted

photons have to have sufficient energy to cause emission and photon

energy is frequency related
B1

or if a wave energy could build up over time to cause electron emission

for a given frequency of light there is a given max KE for the emitted electron

a photon gives all its energy to an electron to remove it and give it KE

intensity of the light does not affect the KE of the emitted electrons

high intensity waves would be expected to give higher kinetic energy to an electron

do not allow increased intensity increases number of electron

B1

(b) (i) energy to remove an electron or to cause photoelectric emission

C1

minimum energy to remove an electron (from the surface)

A1
(2)

(ii) photon energy = hc / λ

or Ek(max) = hc / λ – ϕ
B1

max KE = = 6.2 × 10–19 J – 3.7 × 10–19 stated explicitly

allow 2 for correct substitution in Ek(max) = hc / λ – ϕ

B1
(2)

Page 15 of 24
 (iii) λ = h / mv
C1

velocity of electron = 7.4 × 105 m s–1

or momentum of electron = 6.75 × 10–250 (kg m s–1 )

C1

wavelength = 9.78 or 9.8 × 10–10 m (value correct)

A1
(3)
[9]

(a) 1.8/1.81 × 10–11 m

3
B1
1

(b) circular bands of light on diagram

B1

diffraction/interference effect or electron λ ≈ atomic

spacing in graphite

B1
2

(c) state correct and appropriate particulate aspect

B1

quote evidence from this expt that shows electrons possess

aspect

B1
2

e.g.
electrons carry momentum/kinetic energy to screen
excite other electrons in atoms/cause emission of energy/light
or
electrons carry charge
can be accelerated by electric field/p.d.
etc
[5]

4 (a) hf = photon energy (1)

ϕ = work function (1)
Ek = maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons (1)
(3)

Page 16 of 24
 (b) (i) (1)

(ii) energy on surface = 6.0 × 10–12 J mm–2 s–1 (1)

(1)

(iii) (1) × 10–19 = 2.0 × 10–19 J (1)

(5)
[8]

(a) only certain energies [or energy changes] allowed (1)

5 a line [or photon] corresponds to transition between levels (1)
each transition [or energy change]
corresponds to a definite wavelength [or frequency] (1)
3

(b) (i) Eion = 10.4× 1.6 × 10–19 (or10.4 eV) (1)

= 1.66 × 10–18 (J) (1)

(ii) E (1)

= 1.40 × 10–18 J (1)

= 8.8 eV (1)
which is from 1.6 to 10.4 (1)

(iii) ultra-violet (1)

7
[10]

6 (a) ϕ is minimum energy needed to remove electron (1)

Ek is maximum energy of emitted electron (1)
(2)

(b) (i) Ek = hf – ϕ

f= ∴ Ek = hc – ϕ (1)

cf y = mx + c (1)

Page 17 of 24
(ii)

λ / nm 200 300 400 500 600

Ek × 10–19 J 6.72 3.30 1.68 0.66 0.05

0.0050 0.0033 0.0025 0.0020 0.0017

values correct (1)

both axes correctly labelled (1)

five points correctly plotted (1)
sensible scale and straight line (1)

Page 18 of 24
 graph for this question

from intercept, ϕ = 3.3 × 10–19 J (1) = 2.1 eV (1)

h= = 6.7 × 10–34 J s (1)

(max 9)

(c) straight line to right of present curve (1)

parallel to it (1)
(2)

Page 19 of 24
 (d) ultraviolet high frequency (1)
above f0 for emission (1)
[or red light low frequency (1)
below f0 for emission (1)]

[alternative (d)
ultraviolet [red light] photon energy is high [low] (1)
above [below] work function (1)]
(2)
[15]

(a) (i) (wave property) (electron) diffraction (1)

7
(ii) (particle-property) photoelectric effect (1)

(iii) (wave property) interference / diffraction / refraction (1)

(3)

(b) (momentum of electron =) mυ = 9.11 × 10–31 × 5.0 × 106 (1)

(= 4.56 × 10–24 (kg m s–1)) (1)

[(λ = h/mυ gives) λ = 6.6(3) × 10–34 / 4.56 × 10–24 (1)

(allow e.c.f. for value of mυ)

= 1.5 × 10–10 m (1) (1.45 × 10–10 m)

(3)
[6]

(a) the frequency needed to liberate an electron (electrons) from the surface of a material
8 or
minimum frequency to cause photoelectric effect
C1
the minimum frequency of the radiation / light / photon needed to liberate an electron
(electrons) from (the surface of) a material or from the surface
A1
(2)

(b) the rate increases or more electrons per second

M1
there are more photons striking the surface each second
A1
no change in rate if frequency is below threshold frequency – allow 1
(2)

(c) (i) Calculation using hc / E for (4.7 or 1.5 or 3.2) × 10–19 J

use of 1.5 leads to 1.32 × 10–6;
use of 3.2 leads to 6.2 × 10–7
C1
4.2 × 10–7 m
A1
(2)

Page 20 of 24
 (ii) use of 1.5 × 10–19 J
B1
p = √(2mE) and λ = h / p or E = ½ mv2 and λ = h / mv
C1
correct answer for their energy
1.26 × 10–9 m for 1.5 × 10–19 J
1.2 × 10–9 m for 1.7 × 10–19 J
0.86 × 10–9 m for 3.2 × 10–19 J
0.71 × 10–9 m for 4.7 × 10–19 J
A1
(3)
[9]

9
(a) = 1.2(4) × 10–10 m (1)
(2)

(b) (i) same (1)

(ii) same (1)

(2)
[4]

(a) (i) electromagnetic radiation behaves either as a particle or as a wave (1)

10
(ii) (electromagnetic radiation) behaves as a particle (1)
(2)

(b) (i) hf = φ + Ek (1)

φ = (6.63 × 10–34 × 1.67 × 1015) – (3.0 × 10–19) (1)
= 8.1 × 10–19 (1) J (1) (8.07 × 10–19)

(ii) (number per second) doubled (1)

(maximum kinetic energy) remains constant (1)

(iii) (all) electrons have insufficient energy to leave the (new) metal (1)
the work function of the (new) metal is greater than hf
[or the work function of the (new) metal is greater than
that of the original metal] (1)

The Quality of Written Communication marks were awarded primarily for the
quality of answers to this part.
(8)
[10]

C
11
[1]

B
12
[1]

B
13
[1]

Page 21 of 24
 D
14
[1]

C
15
[1]

Page 22 of 24
Examiner reports
Many candidates found the calculations in part (a) to be accessible. However, candidates should
1 be aware that simply getting the correct answer in not sufficient when they have been asked to
‘show that’. In these cases they must be clear with their selection of equations, manipulation,
substitution and in dealing with powers of ten. They should also quote their answer to a greater
degree of provision than number mentioned in the question in order to demonstrate that they
have performed the calculation completely. There were a surprising number of candidates that
did not attempt this part of the question.

Answers to part (b) were poor. It seems that candidates were familiar with the effect but they
were not able to articulate the logic of why it demonstrates that light, in this case, is not acting as
a wave.

(a) This simple calculation of the de Broglie wavelength was well done by many.
3
(b) A pleasing number could give an indication of the likely diffraction pattern on the front of the
tube and then go on to offer an explanation of the wave behaviour in terms of diffraction or
interference effects.

(c) This was less impressive. Only about one-third of candidates reasoned that (for example)
charge is a particulate property and that it is demonstrated by the acceleration of the
electron in the electric field.

In part (a) marks were often lost because of carelessly worded answers. It is difficult to believe
5 that some candidates have seen line spectra as they seem convinced that spectra is singular.
The most common score was probably one mark. Only a small proportion of candidates referred
to the electron having certain allowed energy levels. Most candidates knew that a photon, or less
often a line, was emitted when an electron dropped from one energy level to another, but few
unambiguously related the difference in energy of the levels to the frequency or wavelength of
the emitted line. There was some confusion with absorption spectra.

Part (b) proved to be much easier and many candidates scored 6 or 7 marks. A few candidates
thought that the ionisation energy was 1.6eV, or forgot to change to J. Most candidates obtained
8.8 eV in part (b)(ii), but some candidates dropped a mark by not recognising the wavelength as
being in the ultraviolet. The commonest wrong answer was ϒ rays.

Many candidates found part (a) to be straightforward and did it well. Those candidates who failed
6
usually omitted the words ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’. A few candidates thought that Ek was the
maximum energy of a photon.

In general, part (b)(i) was answered well, but several candidates failed because they omitted the
speed of light from the relationship between frequency and wavelength. Most candidates
calculated the 1 / λ values correctly in part (b)(ii), but some (including those who used dot
notation to indicate recurring figures) lost a mark for incorrect use of significant figures. Other

incorrect notations included × 10–3 and × 10–3. Graphs were usually plotted reasonably

with axes correctly labelled, points correctly plotted and a straight line drawn. Many candidates
knew how to calculate φ and h, but few could deal with powers of ten correctly, particularly when
given nm–1 as a starting point. Notable omissions in part (b)(ii) were the units of h and the 10–19
factor when reading the intercept for φ.

Page 23 of 24
 There was some evidence that quite a number of candidates were not prepared for this topic.
7 Candidates who were conversant with it usually gave a completely correct answer, but others
usually failed to score at all. In the calculation in part (b), a number of candidates started with
½mv2, showing that they were unfamiliar with the subject.

(a) A large number of candidates gave a complete answer. However, failure to state that it is
8 the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation (or light) that is relevant or to state that
electrons were emitted from the surface were causes of many lost marks. A significant
proportion of the candidates did not know what happens in the photoelectric effect and had
the idea that photons were emitted due to the incidence of electrons.

(b) Many gave loose answers that did not refer to the rate at which electrons were emitted and
stated simply ‘more electrons emitted’. The fact that higher intensity meant more photons
arriving per second per square metre was not well known.

(c) Many were confused between the equations that they needed to use for electromagnetic
radiation and for particles. Correct answers to the two parts were, therefore, frequently
seen the wrong way round.

(i) Those who used the correct formula in this part often used the wrong energy (usually
1.5 × 1019 J).

(ii) Although many quoted h / mv they were clearly confused and 20 to 30% of the
candidates used c as the velocity. Most who knew the correct process used 1.5 ×
1019 J in their attempt to determine the velocity but errors with arithmetic were
common.

Overall, the candidates had a sound understanding of the photoelectric effect and there was a
10 good response to part (a). The most common error was for candidates to refer to the
wave-particle duality of electrons rather than of electromagnetic radiation.

The calculation in part (b)(i) was carried out correctly by most candidates but a large number of
answers were presented without units. Good candidates had no difficulty with part (ii) but many
simply stated that “the number of electrons released per second increases”, rather than “the
number doubles”. Answers to part (iii) indicated that candidates seemed to have a much better
understanding of the photoelectric effect than those who sat the examination in January.
Pleasingly few candidates referred to electrons in shells, ionisation or the electronic bond with a
single atom. The weaker candidates often lost marks because they expressed ideas in an
unclear fashion, for example, “the work function needs to be higher in the new metal” was a
statement commonly seen.

Page 24 of 24