Question

A light source of frequency of 5 x 1014 Hz (600 nm wavelength) strikes a metal surface, and a stream of electrons is ejected from the surface. If light of frequency 6 x 1014 Hz (500 nm wavelength) strikes the same metal surface, the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons emitted from the surface will (a) be greater. (b) be smaller. (c) be the same. (d) be unmeasurable

Answer 1

(a) be greater.

Step-by-step explanation:

The kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons is obtained from Einstein's equation of photo electric effect

K.E= Energy of photon - Work function

The greater the frequency and the shorter the wavelength, the greater the energy of the incident photon, the greater the energy of the incident photon the greater the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons. Hence a photon of 6 x 1014 Hz (500 nm wavelength) will eject electrons of greater maximum kinetic energy than the photon 5 x 1014 Hz (600 nm wavelength).