Name:

___________________________

Mark:_____ / 70

Practical Investigation into the Photoelectric effect

Freq, (Hz)
5,33 x 10 14
1,07 x 10

Wavelength
(nm)

Energy (J)

Energy (eV)

3,52 x 10 -19

QUESTION 1

15

1,09 x 10 15

1 eV = 1,6 x 10-19 J
c = f
E = hF
-34
h = 6,610 J.s

4,4

1.1

7,20 x 10 -19

radiation.

Complete this table

of information
about
electromagnetic

(6)

1.2

Complete the following sentences:

1.2.1

The frequency of electromagnetic radiation ___

1.2.2

The wavelength decreases as the frequency ___________

1.2.3

The energy of e-m radiation increases as its _________________increases.

____ as its wavelength increases.

(3)
[9]

Photoelectric effect. Or http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Photoelectric_Effect

Question 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Select Sodium for the target material

Set the intensity at 10%
Check the current vs intensity and the electron energy vs light frequency graphs
Move the wavelength to about 800 nm
Move the wavelength bar slowly towards lower wavelengths in steps of 50 nm and write down
everything you observe. The wavelength can also be typed into the block.

Answer these questions:

(7)
a) What is the charge on the particles? ____________________
b) Name this type of subatomic particle: ____________________
c) What is the wavelength when you start to see particles leaving the target? _____________

d) What happens to the speed and quantity of electrons as you decrease the wavelength (increase the
frequency) of the incident radiation? _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
e) Do all the electrons travel at the same speed for a particular wavelength? __________
f) How do you know this? ______________________________________
g) Complete this Table of Results for SODIUM as a target (intensity set at 10%)
Use the readings on the animation (no calculations)
Wavelength
700

Particles

Current

(4)

Electron
energy (eV)

none

650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
(h)

Draw a graph to show the relationship betwen wavelength and current on the grid below.
Supply a suitable heading and labels: (9)

[20]
Question 3(a): Repeat steps 1 5 for Zinc and fill in the tables below.

(3)

ZINC
Wavelength
700

Particles
None

Current
0

650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
3(b)

Explain what is meant by the reliability of an experiment. Would this experiment be regarded as
reliable?

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________(3)
3(c) This experiment is always precise. Explain what is meant by this statement and discuss the
relevance of precision with regards to the value of this experiment.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________(3)
3(d) A recent email discussion had some participants quoting the results of this animation to prove their
point of view regarding the photo-electric effect. Identify the problem with this line of thinking.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________(3)
[12]

QUESTION 4
1. Select sodium for the target material and set the intensity at 0%.
2. Check the current vs intensity and the electron energy vs light frequency graphs (ensure that the
graphs are clear before you begin the investigation)
3. Make the necessary changes so that you can write down what you observe about the speed, the
number of electrons leaving the target and current
4. Complete the table below by stating NO EFFECT, DECREASE or INCREASE.
Speed of the fastest
electrons( v max)
A
B

Number of electrons
being emitted

Current produced

Increase
frequency for a
fixed intensity
Increase
intensity for a
fixed frequency
(above
threshold)
(6)
a) What is the relationship between speed and intensity of radiation?
__________________________________________________________________(1)
b) What happens to the kinetic energy of the electrons as the intensity of radiation increases?
_____________________________________________

(1)

c) Explain the relationship between the intensity of the light and the current produced?
_______________________________________________________________
d) Write down the independent variable for

(1)

A: _______________________
B:________________________

(2)

e) Write down two control variables for A:

_____________________________________________________________________ (2)
[13]

QUESTION 5

(a) The minimum frequency at which electrons start leaving the metal is called the threshold frequency and
the corresponding energy is called the work function of the material, Set the intensity at 50% and
determine to the nearest 5 nm the wavelength of light that allows electron emission for each of the 5
target metals.
(b)
Calculate their threshold frequency and work function and complete the table below.
(6)
Threshold
Work function
Metal
Wavelength (nm)
frequency (Hz)
(eV)
Sodium
Zinc
Copper
Platinum
Calcium

[6]

Question 6
(b) Briefly discuss applications of the photoelectric effect.

(2)

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(c) Briefly discuss the implications of the photo-electric effect on our understanding of light.

(2)

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(d) Write a full description on the factors influencing the photo-electric effect based on these investigations.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________ (4)
(e) Suggest a set of variables to represent the data on table 2(g) instead of the graph drawn for 2(h). Supply
a suitable reason for your suggestion.
(2)
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
[10]