Numerical Problems Based

on Photoelectric Effects

B.Sc . Part- II. (Physics honours)

By
Mr. Tinku Kumar
Assistant Professor (PT)
Department of Physics Patna Science
College, Patna University, Patna
Email id:- tinkujaymatadi@gmail.com
 Numerical problem based oN
Photoelectric EffEct
Example :

In an experiment tungsten cathode which has a threshold

wavelength 2300Å is irradiated by ultraviolet light of wavelength

1800Å. Calculate.

i. Maximum energy of emitted photoelectrons and

ii. Work function of tungsten. (Mention both the result in

electron-volts)

Given Planck’s constant h = 6.6  10-34 joule-sec. 1 electron volt

= 1.6  10-19 joule and velocity of light c = 3  108 m/s.

Soln.

The maximum energy of emitted photoelectrons is giveb by

Einstein’s equation.

1
= mv = ℎ( − )
2

1
 Where v is the frequency of incident radiation and the v0 is

threshold frequency. If  and 0 are the corresponding wavelength and c

is the velocity of light, than we have

1 1
=ℎ − =ℎ −
   

Here h = 6.6  10-34 joule-sec.  = 1800Å = 1800  10-10 m.

0 = 2300Å = 2300  10-10 m, and c = 3  108 m/s.

1 1
∴ = 6.6 × 10 × 3 × 10 −
1800 × 10 2300 × 10

6.6 × 10 × 3 × 10 1 1
= −
10 18 23

6.6 × 10 × 3 × 10 5
= ×
10 18 × 23

= 2.291 × 10

2.391 × 10
= = 14.83 .
1.6 × 10

The work function for tungsten, =ℎ =



6.6 × 10 × 3 × 10
= = 8.608 × 10 .
2300 × 10

2
 8.608 × 10
= = 5.38 .
1.6 × 10

Example :

The energy required to remove an electron from sodium is 2.3

eV. Does sodium show a photoelectric effect for orange light with  =

6800 Å ?

Soln.

Given W = 2.3 eV = 2.3  1.6  10-19 joules.

If 0 is threshold wavelength for sodium, then

ℎ
=


Or

ℎ 6.6 × 10 × 3 × 10
 = = = 5380 × 10 = 5380Å
2.3 × 1.6 × 10

From definition threshold wavelength is the longest wavelength

that is capable of showing photoelectric effect. Hence, orange light with

 = 6800Å can not show photoelectric effect when incident on the

surface of sodium with work function 2.3 eV.

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Example :

The work function of potassium is 2.0 eV, when ultraviolet light

of wavelength 3500Å falls on potassium surface. Calculate the

maxiumum kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons in eV. Given

Planck’s constant  = 6.62  10-34 Js.

Soln :

Given W = 2.0 eV,  = 3500  10-10 m

Energy of a photon of incident ultraviolet light

ℎ 6.62 × 10 × 3 × 10
= =
 3500 × 10

6.62 × 10 × 3 × 10
= = 3.546 .
3500 × 10 × 1.6 × 10

Einsteins photoelectric equation is

ℎ
= +


 Maximum kinetic energy

ℎ
= −


d= 3.456 − 2.0 = .

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Example :

Calculate the value of the retarding potential needed to stop the

photoelectrons ejected from a metal surface of work function 1.2 eV

with light of frequency 5.5  1014 sec-1.

Soln :

According to Einstein’s photoelectric equation if V0 is the

retarding potential, we have

=ℎ −

Here e = 1.6  10-19 joule, v = 5.5  1014 sec-1

And W = 1.2 eV = 1.2  1.6  10-19 joule

 1.6  10-19 V0 = 6.6  10-34  5.5  1014 – 1.2  1.6  10-19

Or 1.6  10-19 V0 = 1.71  10-19

. ×
 retarding potential, = = . .
. ×

Example :

One milliwatt of light of wavelength of 4560Å is incident on a

caesium surface. Calculate the photoelectric current liberated, assuming

a quantum efficiency of 0.5%. Given work function of caesium = 1.93

5
eV. Planck’s constant h = 6.62  1034 joule-sec, velocity of light c = 3 

108 m/s.

Soln :
The energy of each photon of incident light
ℎ 6.62 × 10 × 3 × 10
=ℎ = =
 4560 × 10

= 4.32  10-19 joule

Since 1 milliwatt = 10-3 joule/second.

Therefore 1 milliwatt of light is equivalent to

10
( )= = 2.32 × 10 ℎ /
4.32 × 10

As the quantum efficiency is 0.5% i.e., only 0.5% of the incident

photons release photoelectrons. Therefore, the number of electrons

released from caesium surface.

0.5
= 2.32 × 10 × = 1.16 × 10 per sec
100
The charge carried by these electrons per sec i.e., the photoelectric

current, is thus

i = n0. e = 1.16  1013  1.6  10-19

= 1.856  10-5 amp = 1.856 microamp.

Thank You
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