Photoelectric Effect Simulation Lab

Questions and Calculations (3 Points Each)

1. Does the red light have sufficient energy to dislodge electrons from sodium metal?
Explain.

2. What does the intensity setting on the light source actually control?

3. At what wavelength of light are electrons first dislodged from the surface of the
sodium?

4. Calculate the frequency of the light that first dislodges electrons.

5. What effect does changing the intensity have on dislodging electrons?

6. Predict what will happened to the number and velocity of the ejected electrons at a
shorter wavelength.

7. Describe what actually happened to the number and velocity of the ejected electrons.

8. Describe what happened to the photoelectrons as the intensity varied?

9. Are the observations at the new color the same or different from the experiment where
electrons were first seen coming from the metal? Explain the similarities and
differences.
10. What effect does a higher frequency (shorter wavelength) have on the ejections of the
electrons?

11. Calculation of Energy of a Single Photon at minimum ejection wavelength.

12. Calculation of Energy of a Single Photon of Violet light (430 nm).

13. Where did the photoelectrons get this extra energy of motion?

14. Calculate the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons ejected by violet (430 nm) light. Give
your answer in eV.

15. What changes about the motion of the electrons as the potential difference increases?

16. What happens to the current reading in the circuit?

17. Are electrons attracted or repelled by the right plate?

18. What sign is shown on the right plate (there are little tiny red + signs or little tiny
negative – signs on the plates)? Is this consistent with your answer to 17? Explain.

19. Predict what you think will happen in the circuit when the light intensity is increased.

20. What change do you notice in the circuit that indicates the greater intensity?
21. Prediction for changing voltage from 0V to -5V.

22. Are the electrons attracted or repelled by the right plate?

23. What is the sign shown on the right plate?

24. What happens to the current in the circuit as the voltage is changed from 0 to -5.0V?

25. What is the value of the Stopping Potential?

26. Calculate the energy of a photon of ultraviolet light (200 nm).

27. The maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electron in eV. (Remember that the work
function of a metal does not change)

28. Is there a relationship between the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons and the
electric potential required to stop an electron? Explain.

29. If the wavelength of incident light is decreased (frequency is increased), would the
previous voltage still stop the electrons from reaching the plate? Explain.

30. Predict how you would have to adjust the voltage to find a new Vstop in the situation
above.
Conclusion (10 Points)