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a) What is the range of frequencies in this beam of light for which electrons are ejected from the sodium
surface?
b) Find the maximum kinetic energy of the ‘photoelectrons’ that are ejected from this surface
A beam of white light containing frequencies between 4.00 x 1014Hz and 7.90 x 1014Hz is incident on a sodium surface,
which has a work function of 2.28 eV.
a) What is the range of frequencies in this beam of light for which electrons are ejected from the sodium surface?
.
Cutoff frequency for sodium – f0 = = . ×
The frequencies that emit electrons are between ‘f0’ and the highest
b) Find the maximum kinetic energy of the ‘photoelectrons’ that are ejected from this surface
Kmax = hf – W0
𝟏.𝟔𝟎×𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟗
For the maximum frequency = [(6.63 x 10-34)x(7.90 x 10)] - [(2.28)( )] = 1.59 x 10-19J
𝟏
Additional question) What frequency of light would be necessary to give a maximum kinetic energy of
2.00eV to the photoelectrons from this surface?
Additional question) What frequency of light would be necessary to give a maximum kinetic energy of
2.00eV to the photoelectrons from this surface?
𝑲𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝑾𝟎
Kmax = hf – W0 , hf = Kmax + W0, f=
𝒉
2.00 eV = 3.2 x 10-19 J (maximum kinetic energy),2.28 eV = 3.65 x 10-19 J (work function)
. × ( . × )
f=
. ×
Concept Check Question: Four
In a photoelectric experiment, a beam of light with a frequency greater than the cutoff frequency
Shines on the emitter. If the frequency of this beam is increased while the intensity is kept
constant, does the number of electrons ejected per second from the metal surface
Why?
Example Answer
Answer:
Increasing the frequency of the beam means each photon carries more energy. However, the intensity of
the beam is constant. A constant number of photons hits the metal per second. The same number of
photoelectrons will be ejected, but they have a higher kinetic energy
W0 = [(6.63 x 10-34) x (9.95 x 1014)] – 0.180 x 10-19 = 6.42 x 10-19 J - Work function of silver ( = 4.01 eV)
𝑲𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝑾𝟎
Kmax = hf – W0, hf = Kmax + W0, f= 𝒉
𝒄
Wavelength and frequency are inversely related by:
𝝀
. ×
f=
×
W0 = hf – Kmax
In this situation, the frequency is the threshold frequency ‘f0’
a) Aluminum requires a higher frequency of light to release electrons from the material because the
minimum amount of energy required to release an electron is greater (as shown by its work
function)
. × . ×
For Aluminium f0 = = 1.03 x 1015 Hz
. ×
. × . ×
For Calcium f0 = = 6.93 x 1014 Hz
. ×
Let’s go further…
• How much energy did the photons have in this experiment?
• Photon energy = Work function + Kinetic energy of electron
Visible Light - Photon Energies
• Visible light photon range ≈ 1.7 – 3.3 eV
Visible Light - Photon Energies
• Photoelectric effect observed with low wavelengths of visible light
Visible Light – Laboratory Equipment
• Easy to analyse in a lab with a bright lamp or laser
Photoelectric Effect
• Is seen to photon energies of 100,000 eV/0.1MeV
Photoelectric Effect
• Therefore, we see it with low wavelengths of ultraviolet light too
The Compton Effect
• But with X-rays, a different effect takes over…
The Compton Effect
• This effect was observed in Arthur Holly Compton’s
experiment in 1923.
The Compton Effect
• It further confirmed the Quantum theory of light
The Compton Effect
• He directed X-rays at stationary electrons
• Then examined the collision
The Compton Effect
• He measured the wavelength of the waves after the collision
Classical Physics – Group Task
• What does classical wave theory predict would happen?
• Hint: We’ve talked about this before
Classical Physics – Prediction
• Wavelength should not change
• Electron will oscillate at incident frequency
Classical Physics – Prediction
• Therefore, electron should re-emit wave with same frequency
Classical Physics – Prediction
• The frequency of scattered X-ray should be the same
Classical Physics – Another Failure!
• This doesn’t happen!
The Compton Effect - Observation
• After collision :
• Higher wavelength/lower frequency photons than incident
• Plus the ejected electron it hits
The Compton Effect - Observation
• Compton used the photon model to explain the results.
Example Exam Question
• Use the photon model to explain what happens (5 marks)
Example Exam Question
• Incoming photon collides with electron (1) Transfers some energy to the
electron (1) photon now has less energy than before (1) so it decreases in
frequency [E=hf] (1) and increases in wavelength (1) Electron increases its
kinetic energy and is ejected (1) X-ray is scattered (1) Speed remains
constant
Compton Effect – Pairwork Task
• What does this remind you of?
Compton Effect – Pairwork Task
• Maybe this helps…
Compton Effect – Pairwork Task
• An elastic collision
Compton Effect – Pairwork Task
• But it’s photon wavelength that changes, not speed
Particle-Like Properties
• This suggests another particle-like property of light
Particle-Like Properties
• Momentum
Momentum of a photon
• Despite no mass….
Momentum of a photon
• Objects with mass can never reach ‘c’
• So it follows that photons have no mass
Momentum of a photon
• But they do have momentum
• Which goes against Newtonian Physics
Wave-Particle
• Hence, light exhibits particle-like properties
Particle-like interactions of light
• Seen in:
• The photoelectric effect
• The Compton effect