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Chapter 16
Quantum physics
Worksheet
Worked examples
Practical: Photoelectric effect
End-of-chapter test
Marking scheme: Worksheet
Marking scheme: End-of-chapter test

Worksheet
Planck constant h = 6.63 1034 J s
speed of light in free space (vacuum) c = 3.0 108 m s1
mass of electron me = 9.1 1031 kg
mass of neutron = 1.7 1027 kg
elementary charge e = 1.6 1019 C

Intermediate level
1 What is a photon?
[1]
2 Gamma rays from a radioactive material have higher frequency than visible light.
Explain why this means that gamma rays are more harmful.

[2]

3 What evidence is there that electromagnetic waves:

a

have wave-like properties?

have particle-like properties?

[1]
[1]

4 A light-emitting diode emits red light of wavelength 6.4 10 m. Calculate:

7

the frequency of the red light;

[2]

the energy of a photon of red light.

[3]

5 Using the terms photons and work function energy, describe why electrons are
emitted from the surface of a zinc plate when it is illuminated by ultraviolet
radiation but not when it is illuminated by visible light.

[3]

6 What experimental evidence is there that suggests that electrons behave as waves. [1]

Higher level
7 The electron-volt is a convenient unit of energy for particles and photons. Define
the electron-volt.

[1]

8 An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 6.0 V. According to a

student, this electron has kinetic energy much greater than the energy of a photon
of ultraviolet radiation of wavelength 2.5 107 m. With the aid of calculations,
explain whether or not the student is correct.
[5]

9 a Define threshold frequency for a metal.

b

[1]

The work function energy of caesium is 1.9 eV. Calculate the threshold
frequency.

[3]

10 A particular filament lamp of rating 60 W emits 5.0% of this power as visible light.
The average wavelength of visible light is 550 nm. Calculate:
a

the average energy of a single photon of visible light;

[3]

the number of photons of visible light emitted per second from the lamp.

[3]

11 A plate of zinc is illuminated by electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 2.1 107 m.

The work function energy of zinc is 4.3eV. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy
of a photoelectron.

16 Quantum physics

[4]

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153

12 Neutrons travelling through matter get diffracted just as electrons do when travelling
through graphite. In order to show diffraction effects, the neutrons need to have a
de Broglie wavelength that is comparable to the spacing between the atoms.
Calculate the speed of a neutron that has a de Broglie wavelength of 2.0 1011 m.

[3]

Extension
13 a In an electron-diffraction experiment, electrons are accelerated through a p.d. V.
Show that the de Broglie wavelength of an electron is given by:

h
2me eV

where me is the mass of the electron and e is the elementary charge.

[3]

Calculate the accelerating p.d. V that gives an electron a de Broglie

wavelength of 4.0 1011 m.

[3]

14 In an experiment on the photoelectric effect, a metal is illuminated by visible light

of different wavelengths. A photoelectron has a maximum kinetic energy of 0.9 eV
when red light of wavelength of 640 nm is used. With blue light of wavelength
420 nm, the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectron is 1.9 eV. Use this
information to calculate an experimental value for the Planck constant h.
[5]
Total: Score:
48

154

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16 Quantum physics

Worked examples
Example 1
The work function energy of a metal is 3.8 eV. Explain whether blue light of wavelength
4.2 107 m illuminating the metal will give rise to the photoelectric effect.
work function energy, = 3.8 1.6 1019 = 6.08 1019 J
energy of photon, E =

hc 6.63 1034 3.0 108

=

4.2 107

E = 4.74 1019 J 4.7 10 19 J

(1 eV = 1.6 1019 J)
You must work in the same units for energy.
Hence, the work function energy has been
converted from electron-volts into joules.

For blue light, the photon energy is less than the work function energy of the metal.
Hence, an electron at the surface of the metal cannot escape.

Tip
You can use Einsteins equation hf = + KEmax. Substitution into this equation will
give a negative value for the maximum kinetic energy of an electron, which is not
possible. Therefore, the blue light cannot give rise to the photoelectric effect.

Example 2
A proton has a mass 1830 times that of an electron. Calculate the following ratio:
de Broglie wavelength of electron
de Broglie wavelength of proton
for an electron and a proton travelling at the same speed.
de Broglie wavelength, =
h

ratio =

h
mv

e
m ev m p
=
=
= 1830
me
p h
mpv

The actual speed is not given,

therefore you have to determine
the ratio using algebra.

The electron has a de Broglie wavelength that is 1830 times that of the proton travelling
at the same speed.

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Practical
Photoelectric effect
Safety
Do not look directly at the ultraviolet lamp. Be careful when using the razor blade to
clean the magnesium ribbon. Teachers and technicians should follow their school and
departmental safety policies and should ensure that the employers risk assessment has
been carried out before undertaking any practical work.

Apparatus

magnesium ribbon 10 cm long

table lamp
ultraviolet lamp
picoammeter
variable d.c. supply

wire gauze (e.g. copper)

razor blade or coarse emery cloth
glass plate
connecting leads
magnesium ribbon

Introduction
The particle-like behaviour of electromagnetic
radiation is elegantly demonstrated by the
photoelectric effect, which is described on
pages 138141 of Physics 1. In this experiment
you will use an alternative arrangement to
explore the fundamental concepts behind the
photoelectric effect.

electromagnetic
radiation

pA

The diagram shows an arrangement that

may be used to demonstrate the
photoelectric effect. When magnesium is
wire gauze
exposed to ultraviolet radiation, it emits
photoelectrons from its surface. A tiny
current flows between the magnesium ribbon and the gauze. This photoelectric current
is registered by the picoammeter.

Procedure

Carefully clean off any oxides on the magnesium ribbon using a razor blade or a
coarse emery cloth.

2
3
4

Set up the circuit as shown in the diagram above.

Set the supply at 6.0 V.
Illuminate the magnesium ribbon with visible light from the table lamp. There is
no photoelectric current. Why is this?

Does increasing or decreasing the intensity of the light falling on the ribbon have
any effect (this is done by changing the separation between the table lamp and the
magnesium ribbon)?

A photoelectric current is registered by the picoammeter when the ribbon is

illuminated by ultraviolet light. Why is this? What happens to the current when the
intensity of the ultraviolet light is increased and then decreased?

Keep the distance between the ultraviolet lamp and magnesium ribbon constant.
Explain why the photoelectric current remains the same when the supply is
changed to 3.0 V.

Place the glass plate between the magnesium ribbon and the ultraviolet source.
What happens to the current? Explain this effect.

Guidance for teachers

It is very important that the wire gauze does not touch the magnesium ribbon. You can
use a clamp stand to secure the gauze.
156 Cambridge University Press 2005
16 Quantum physics

End-of-chapter test
Answer all questions.
Planck constant h = 6.63 1034 J s
speed of light in free space (vacuum) c = 3.0 108 m s1
mass of electron me = 9.1 1031 kg
mass of neutron = 1.7 1027 kg
elementary charge e = 1.6 1019 C

Write an equation for the energy of a photon in terms of its frequency f.

The wavelength of visible light has a range 4.0 10 m to 7.0 10 m.

7

[2]

Calculate:

2
3

the maximum frequency of visible light;

[2]

ii

the maximum energy of a photon of visible light.

[2]

Write down the de Broglie equation and explain how this important equation
embodies both particle and wave properties.

[3]
1

A ball of mass 50 g travels through an open door of width 1 m at a velocity of 6.0 m s .

a

Calculate its de Broglie wavelength.

[2]

Use your answer to a to explain why the ball fails to show observable
diffraction effects.

[1]

In the photoelectric effect, explain what is meant by threshold frequency.

[1]

A metal is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 310 nm.

The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectron is 1.2 eV.
Calculate, in electron-volts (eV):
i

the energy of a single photon;

[3]

ii

the work function energy of the metal.

[2]

The intensity of the radiation is doubled. Explain the effect, if any, on your
answer:

iii to b i;

[1]

iv to b ii.

[1]

A muon is a particle that has the same charge as the electron but has a mass that
is about 200 times the mass of an electron. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength
of a muon entering the Earths atmosphere at a speed of 9.0% of the speed
of light.
[4]
Total: Score:
24

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Marking scheme
Worksheet
1
2
3

A packet of energy or a quantum of electromagnetic energy. [1]

The energy of a photon frequency of the radiation [1], hence a gamma ray photon
has greater energy than a photon of visible light (and therefore is more harmful). [1]
a

Electromagnetic waves travel through space as waves and, as such, show

diffraction and interference effects. [1]

Electromagnetic waves interact with matter as particles. The photoelectric

effect provides strong evidence for the particle-like (photon) behaviour of
electromagnetic waves. [1]

c = f

so

c 3.0 108
f= =
[1];
6.4 107

f = 4.69 1014 Hz 4.7 1014 Hz [1]

b

E = hf [1];

E = 6.63 1034 4.69 1014 [1];

E = 3.1 1019 J [1]

For an electron to escape from the surface of the metal, it must absorb energy from
the photon that is greater than the work function energy. [1]
The work function energy is the minimum energy required by the electron to
escape from the surface of the metal. [1]
The photon of visible light has energy less than the work function energy of the
metal, whereas the photon of ultraviolet radiation has energy greater than the
work function energy. [1]

Electrons travel through space as waves. The evidence for this is provided by the
diffraction of electrons by matter (e.g. graphite). [1]

The electron-volt is the energy gained by an electron travelling through a potential

difference of one volt. [1]

The kinetic energy E of the electron is:

E = VQ = 6.0 1.6 1019 J [1]; E = 9.6 1019 J [1]
For the photon, its energy E is
E = hf =

hc
[1];

E=

6.63 1034 3.0 108

[1]
2.5 107

energy of photon = 7.96 1019 J 8.0 1019 J [1]

The energy of the ultraviolet photon is less than the kinetic energy of the electron.
(The student is correct.)

The threshold frequency is the minimum frequency of electromagnetic

radiation that just removes electrons from the surface of the metal. [1]

At the threshold frequency, the energy of the photon is equal to the work
function energy of the metal. Hence:

= hf0 (f0 = threshold frequency) [1]

f0 =

158

1.9 1.6 1019

[1];
6.63 1034

Cambridge University Press 2005

f0 = 4.6 1014 Hz [1]

16 Quantum physics

10 a E = hf = hc [1]

E=
b

6.63 1034 3.0 108

[1];
550 109

E = 3.62 1019 J 3.6 1019 J [1]

Power emitted as light = 0.05 60 = 3.0 W [1]

Number of photons emitted per second =

3.0
[1]; number = 8.3 1018 [1]
3.62 1019

11 = 4.3 1.6 1019 = 6.88 1019 J [1]

energy of photon =

hc 6.63 1034 3.0 108

=
= 9.47 1019 J [1]

2.1 107

energy of photon = work function energy + maximum kinetic energy of electron [1]
maximum kinetic energy of electron = (9.47 6.88) 1019 2.6 1019 J [1]
h

12 = mv [1]
v=

h
6.63 1034
=
[1];
m 1.7 1027 2.0 1011

v = 1.95 104 m s1

(20 km s1) [1]

13 a Kinetic energy of electron = VQ = Ve

1
m v 2 = Ve
2 e

p2
= Ve (where p = mev) [1]
2me

or

p = 2meVe [1]

h
h
=
(de Broglie equation) [1]
m ev p

Therefore, =
b

=
V=

h
2meVe
2 9.1 10

h
2meVe
or

31

V=

h2
[1]
2me2e

(6.63 1034)2
[1];
(4.0 1010)2 1.6 1019

V = 940 V [1]

1
c
14 Using f = and Einsteins photoelectric equation (hf = + 2 mv2max) [1]; we have

the following:
red light

h 3.0 108
= + (0.9 1.6 1019);
640 109

4.688 1014 h = + 1.440 1019 (equation 1) [1]

blue light
h 3.0 108
= + (1.9 1.6 1019);
420 109

7.143 1014 h = + 3.040 1019 (equation 2) [1]

Equations 1 and 2 are two simultaneous equations.

(7.143 4.688) 1014 h = (3.040 1.440) 1019 [1]
h=

(3.040 1.440) 1019

6.5 1034 J s [1]
(7.143 4.688) 1014

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Marking scheme
End-of-chapter test
1

E = hf [1]; where E is the energy of the photon, h is the Planck constant and f is
the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation. [1]

The frequency is maximum for the shortest wavelength. [1]

c 3.0 108
f= =
= 7.5 1014 Hz [1]
4.0 107

ii

E = hf ; E = 6.63 1034 7.5 1014 [1];

E = 4.97 1019 J 5.0 1019 J [1]

h
[1]
mv

is the de Broglie wavelength of the particle, which is a wave property. [1]

The particle property is expressed via the momentum of the particle mv. [1]

h 6.63 1034
=
[1];
mv 0.050 6.0

For diffraction effects to be significant, the wavelength must be comparable to

the size of the gap or aperture. The de Broglie wavelength of the ball is far too
small compared with the size of the gap, hence there is no observable
diffraction at the door. [1]

The threshold frequency is the minimum frequency of the electromagnetic

radiation that causes electrons to be emitted from the surface of a metal. [1]

E=

= 2.2 1033 m [1]

hc 6.63 1034 3.0 108

=
[1];

310 109

E = 6.42 1019 J [1]; E =

ii

hf = + KEmax [1];

6.42 1019
4.0 eV [1]
1.6 1019

= 4.0 1.2 = 2.8 eV [1]

iii The intensity of the radiation has no effect on the energy of the photon. The
energy of each photon remains 4.0 eV. However, the number of photons per
unit time will be doubled. [1]
iv The work function energy is a property of the metal and not the intensity,
hence the work function energy remains the same. [1]

Mass = 200 9.1 1031 = 1.82 1028 kg [1]

Velocity = 0.09 3.0 108 = 2.7 107 m s1 [1]

160

h
6.63 1034
=
[1];
mv 1.82 1028 2.7 107

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1.3 1013 m [1]

16 Quantum physics