CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

Exam-style questions and sample answers have been written by the authors. In examinations, the way marks are awarded
may be different.

Coursebook answers
Chapter 28
hc
Science in context guidance 4 energy of one photon, E =
λ
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
• Students should already be familiar with a = = 3.07 × 10−19 J
number of wave behaviours such as reflection, 6.48 × 10 −7
refraction and diffraction. These are all number of photons per second =
phenomena that occur with light, but also power of laser 0.0010
with other waves such as water waves. = = 3.26 ×
energy per photon 3 .07 × 10 −19
• Waves can also be transmitted and absorbed. 1015 s−1 ≈ 3.3 × 1015 s−1
It is worth asking students if they can explain
5 energy change, W = 1.2 eV = QV
wave phenomena using particles instead
= 1.6 × 10−19 × 1.2 = 1.92 × 10−19 J ≈ 1.9 × 10−19 J
of waves. They may come up with some
energy in eV = 1.2 eV
interesting ideas!
6 energy in joules, E = hf
1 eV = 1.60 × 10−19 J
Self-assessment questions 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 1018
1 energy E = hf = 6.63 × 10−34 × 1.0 × 1026 E = = 12 400 eV ≈
1.60 × 10 −19
= 6.63 × 10−8 J ≈ 6.6 × 10−8 J 12 keV
2 energy E = hc hc
λ 7 Rearrange energy E = to give wavelength λ
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 λ
For red light, E =
700 × 10 −9 hc 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
= 2.8 × 10−19 J = = ≈ 1.24 × 10−7 m,
E 10 × 1.6 × 10 −19
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 ultraviolet
For violet light, E =
400 × 10 −9
= 5.0 × 10−19 J 8 energy gained = work done on proton by
a 
3 Rearrange energy E = hc to give potential difference
λ
energy gained = QV = 1.60 × 10−19 × 1500
wavelength λ = hc
E = 2.4 × 10−16 J
1
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 b kinetic energy Ek = mv2 so speed v =
λ=
a  ≈ 2.0 × 10−13 m, 2
10 −12
γ-ray
2E k 2 × 2.4 × 10 −16
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 = =
b λ = ≈ 2.0 × 10−10 m, m 1.67 × 10 −27
10 −15
X-ray
≈ 5.3 × 105 m s−1
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
c  λ = ≈ 2.0 × 10 m,
−7
9 Rearrange eV = hc to give Planck’s constant,
10 −18 λ
ultraviolet
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 h= eV λ
d λ = ≈ 2.0 × 10−5 m, c
10 −20
infrared For infrared LED, hi =
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 1.6 × 10 −19 × 1.35 × 910 × 10 −9
e λ = ≈ 2.0 m, radio = 6.55 × 10−34 J s
10 −25 3.0 × 108
wave

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1.6 × 10 −19 × 1.70 × 670 × 10 −9 hc

For red LED, hr = 13 Rearrange = Φ + k.e.max to give work
3.0 × 108 function λ
= 6.07 × 10−34 J s hc 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
Φ = − k.e.max = −
 or amber LED, ha =
F λ 2000 × 10 −9
1.6 × 10 −19 × 2.00 × 610 × 10 −9 4.0 × 10 −20 = 5.9 × 10−20 J
= 6.51 × 10−34 J s 14 a  energy ∆E = E1 − E2 = (7.8 − 2.2) × 10−18
3.0 × 108
For green LED, hg = = 5.6 × 10−18 J
∆E 5.6 × 10 −18
1.6 × 10 −19 × 2.30 × 560 × 10 −9 frequency f = = =
= 6.87 × 10−34 J s h 6.63 × 10 −34
3.0 × 108
8.44 × 1015 ≈ 8.4 × 1015 Hz
average h = 1 (6.55 × 10−34
+ 6.07 × 10 −34
+ 6.51 c 3.0 × 108
4 wavelength λ = = =
f 8.44 × 1015
× 10 + 6.87 × 10 )
−34 −34
3.6 × 10−8 m (emission)
average h ≈ 6.5 × 10−34 J s
10 a  Energies that exceed the work function b energy ∆E = E1 − E2 = (2.2 − 1.7) × 10−18
can cause the release of an electron from = 5.0 × 10−19 J
the metal: 2.0 eV, 3.0 eV
∆E 5.0 × 10 −19
frequency f = = = 7.54 ×
b Rearrange hf = Φ + k.e.max to give k.e.max = h 6.63 × 10 −34
hf − Φ = photon energy − work function 1014 ≈ 7.5 × 1014 Hz
For 2.0 eV photon, k.e.max = 2.0 eV − 1.8 c 3.0 × 108
wavelength λ = = = 4.0 ×
eV = 0.2 eV in joules, 0.2 eV = 0.2 × 1.6 × f 7.54 × 1014
10−19 J = 3.2 × 10−20 J 10−7 m (emission)
For 3.0 eV photon, k.e.max = 3.0 eV − 1.8 c energy ΔE = E1 − E2 = (3.9 − 1.7) × 10−18
eV = 1.2 eV in joules, 1.2 eV = 1.2 × 1.6 × = 2.2 × 10−18 J
10−19 J = 1.9 × 10−19 J ∆E 2.2 × 10 −18
frequency f = = = 3.32 ×
11 a 
Gold h 6.63 × 10 −34
1015 ≈ 3.3 × 1015 Hz
b Caesium c 3.0 × 108
wavelength λ = = = 9.0 ×
Φ f 3.32 × 1015
For zinc, threshold frequency f0 =
c  =
h 10−8 m (absorption)
6.9 × 10 −19
= 1.04 × 1015 ≈ 1.0 × 1015 Hz 15 9.0 eV, 11 eV, 25 eV, 34 eV and 45 eV
6.63 × 10 −34
correspond to differences between energy
d For potassium, threshold frequency
−19
levels, so they can all be absorbed; 6.0 eV
2 × 10
f0 = Φh = 63..63 × 10 −34
= 4.83 × 1014 Hz and 20 eV do not correspond to differences
8
so, wavelength λ = c .0 × 10
= 43.83 between energy levels and so cannot be
f0 × 1014
absorbed
≈ 620 nm
−34 8 hc 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
energy E = hc
12 a  λ
= 6.63 × 10 × 3.0 × 10
2.4 × 10 −7
= 8.3 energy E =
16 a  = =
λ 83 × 10 −9
× 10 J
−19

2.4 × 10 −18
b k.e.max = E − Φ = 8.3 × 10−19 − 2.8 × 10−19 = 2.40 × 10−18 J = ≈ 15 eV
1.6 × 10 −19
5.5 × 10−19 J
1 hc 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
c Rearrange k.e.max = m(vmax)2 to give vmax energy E = = =
2 λ 50 × 10 −9
2E k 2 × 5.5 × 10 −19 3.98 × 10 −18
= = = 3.98 × 10−18 J = ≈ 25 eV
m 9.1× 10 −31 1.6 × 10 −19
1.1 × 106 m s−1 hc 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
energy E = = =
λ 25 × 10 −9
7.96 × 10 −18
7.96 × 10−18 J = ≈ 50 eV
1.6 × 10 −19

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
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 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

E 1.63 × 10 −24
b See figure for one possible solution. b f = = = 2.46 × 109 Hz[1]
h 6.63 × 10 −34
Energy / eV
c 3.0 × 108
λ =
c  = = 0.12 m[1]
f 2.46 × 109
0
6 E = 5.0 × 106 × 1.6 × 10−19 =
a 
8.0 × 10−13 J[1]
–10
b i 10 000 eV[1]
ii E = 10 000 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 1.6 × 10−15 J
[1]
–34.8 6 × 10 −21
c E = = 3.8 × 10−2 eV[1]
–44.7 1.6 × 10 −19
7 charge = 2e[1]
a 
so, energy in eV = 2 × 7500 = 15 000 eV[1]
–59.7
b E = 15 000 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 2.4 × 10−15 J[1]
17 a 
Electrons can behave as waves so they can 2E 4.8 × 10 −16
be diffracted by spaces between atoms. c v2 = = = 7.06 × 1010 m2 s−2
m 6.8 × 10 −27
[1]
b  ach metal has a different lattice
E
v = 8.4 × 105 m s−1[1]
structure, so each will produce a different 2.5 × 10 −18
diffraction pattern. 8 photon energy in eV =
a  =
1.6 × 10 −19
15.625 eV[1]
18 a 
1.0 keV
k.e.max = hf − Φ; maximum k.e. = photon
b  earrange kinetic energy Ek = 12 mv2 to
R energy − work function[1]
give k.e.max = 15.625 − 4.3 = 11.3 eV[1]
2E k 2 × 1000 × 1.6 × 10 −19
speed v = = b Converting this to joule (J)
m 9.1× 10 −31
= 1.9 × 10 m s
7 −1 maximum k.e. = 11.3 × 1.6 × 10−19 =
1.8 × 10−18 J[1]
momentum mv = 9.1 × 10−31 × 1.9 × 107 = work function
1.7 × 10−23 kg m s−1 9 minimum frequency = [1]
h h
c de Broglie wavelength λ = = 4.9 × 1.6 × 10 −19
mv = = 1.2 × 1015 Hz[1]
6.63 × 10 −34
6.63 × 10 −34
= 3.9 × 10−11 m
1.7 × 10 −23
energy required = 54.4 eV[1]
10 a 
d The wavelength is much smaller than
the spacing, so there will only be a small = 54.4 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 8.7 × 10−18 J[1]
amount of diffraction. b energy change = 13.6 − 6.1 = 7.5 eV[1]
E 7.5 × 1.6 × 10 −19
f = = = 1.8 × 1015 Hz
Exam-style questions h 6.63 × 10 −34
[1]
1 A[1]
2 A[1] This lies in the ultraviolet region.[1]

3 E = hf[1] c  he drop in energy from n = 2 to n = 1 is

T
much more than that from n = 3 to n = 2[1]
= 6.63 × 10−34 × 4.0 × 1018 = 2.7 × 10−15 J[1]
so the frequency of the light emitted is
4 For shortest wavelength:
hc much higher.[1]
E = [1]
λ hc 6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108
E=
11 a  = [1]
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3 × 108 λ 590 × 10 −9
= = 4 × 10−23 J[1]
0.005 E = 3.4 × 10−19 J[1]
so, range is from 4 × 10−25 J to 4 × 10−23 J[1] b i Electrons have zero potential energy
5 a  E = 1.02 × 10−5 × 1.60 × 10−19 = at infinity, and less than this near the
1.63 × 10−24 J[1] nucleus.[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

ii Electron is excited from the Φ = hf0 = 6.63 × 10−34 × 5.6 × 1014[1]
−5.8 × 10−19 J level to the −2.4 × 10−19 J work function = 3.7 × 10−19 J[1]
level,[1]
dk.e.max = hf − Φ, so gradient = h[1]
absorbing all the energy of the (1.82 − 0 ) × 1.6 × 10 −19
incident photon.[1] h=
 [1]
4.4 × 1014
iii Incident light is directional; light is
h = 6.62 × 10−34 ≈ 6.6 × 10−34 J s[1]
reemitted in all directions.[1]
14 a 
Electrons show wave−particle duality.[1]
12 a 
Electron is totally removed from the
The de Broglie wavelength is the wavelength
nucleus. (Accept atom is ionised.)[1]
of an electron (of a definite energy).[1]
b i The potential energy of the electron is
b i 5.0 keV or 8.0 × 10−19 J[1]
less in level 2 than in level 3,[1]
1
so energy is given out (as a photon).[1] E=
ii  1
2
mv2 → Em = 2
m2v2 → mv = p =
ii change in energy = −2.4 − (−5.4) = 2Em [1]
3.0 eV or 4.8 × 10−19 J[1]
hc hc p = 2 × 8.0 × 10 −19 × 9.1× 10 −31 [1]
E = leads to λ = =
λ E = 3.8 × 10−23 N s[1]
6.63 × 10 −34 × 3.0 × 108 h 6.63 × 10 −34
[1] λ=
iii  = [1]
4.8 × 10 −19 p 3.8 × 10 −23
= 4.1 × 10−7 m[1] λ = 1.7 × 10−11 m[1]
iii If E is inversely proportional to n ,
2
c  eutrons have a greater mass than
N
then En2 is a constant.
electrons, so greater momentum[1]
n = 1: En2 = −21.9 × 1 = −21.9
for same energy,[1]
n = 2: En2 = −5.4 × 4 = −21.6 so shorter wavelength.[1]
n = 3: En2 = −2.4 × 9 = −21.6[1] 15 a 
The Planck constant h is in the equation
All products are approximately the describing the particle-like behaviour of a
same.[1] photon; with E = hf (E = energy of photon
and f = frequency).[1]
Alternative route is to compare ratios
1 1 The Planck constant h is in the equation
of E1 : En and : [1] describing the wave-like behaviour of a
( n1 ) 2
( nn )2
particle; with lp = h (p = momentum of
with linking comment.[1]
particle and λ = de Broglie wavelength).[1]
i   Electromagnetic radiation displays
13 a 
properties associated both with b i The photons of visible light have
particles[1] momentum.[1]

and with waves.[1] There is a change of momentum

ii Radiation below certain frequency
will not produce photoelectrons /
maximum energy of photoelectrons
increases linearly with frequency.[1]
Energy of a packet (particle) depends
on frequency (wave).[1]
b  nergy of the photon is less than the
E 
work function,[1]
which is the minimum energy required
to remove an electron from the metal
surface.[1]
c k.e.max = hf − Φ, so x-intercept =
threshold frequency = 5.6 × 1014 Hz[1]
when the photons hit the plate.[1]
According to Newton’s second law, the
rate of change of momentum of these
photons is equal to the force exerted
on the plate.[1]
E hc 6.63 × 10 −34
p=
ii  = = [1]
c λ c 550 × 10 −9
p = 1.205 × 10-27 N s ≈ 1.2 × 10-27 N s
 [1]
iii energy of photon = hc/λ[1]
number of photons per second =
area × intensity/E = AI λ/hc[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

force = number of photons per second

× momentum of each photon = AI λ/hc
× h/λ = AI/c[1]
force = 0.052 × 800/3.0 × 108[1]
force = 6.7 × 10−9 N[1]

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
5 © Cambridge University Press 2020