Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Photoelectric Effect and Wave–Particle Duality
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Photoelectric Effect and Wave–Particle Duality
In a photoelectric effect experiment, the emitter and collector...
In a photoelectric effect experiment, the emitter and collector plates are separated by and connected via an ammeter without any cell (as shown in the figure). A magnetic field is applied parallel to the plates. The emitter has a work function of , and the incident light contains wavelengths ranging from to . Determine the minimum value of such that the current registered by the ammeter becomes zero. Neglect any space charge effects.


Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
D.
Step-by-step solution
The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons corresponds to the minimum wavelength of the incident light, .
The energy of the incident photon is given by:
Using Einstein's photoelectric equation, the maximum kinetic energy K_\max is:
K_\max = E - \phi = 3.105 \text{ eV} - 2.39 \text{ eV} = 0.715 \text{ eV}
For the ammeter to register zero current, the magnetic field must be strong enough to prevent even the most energetic photoelectrons from reaching the collector plate. Assuming the limiting case is for electrons emitted perpendicular to the plates, their trajectory will be a circle. To just miss the opposite plate, the radius of this circular path must be equal to the plate separation .
R = \dfrac{mv_\max}{eB} = d
The maximum velocity v_\max is related to K_\max by K_\max = \dfrac{1}{2}mv_\max^2, which gives v_\max = \sqrt{\dfrac{2K_\max}{m}}.
Substituting v_\max into the radius equation:
B = \dfrac{\sqrt{2mK_\max}}{ed}
Substituting the standard values (, , ):
Answer:
The energy of the incident photon is given by:
Using Einstein's photoelectric equation, the maximum kinetic energy K_\max is:
K_\max = E - \phi = 3.105 \text{ eV} - 2.39 \text{ eV} = 0.715 \text{ eV}
For the ammeter to register zero current, the magnetic field must be strong enough to prevent even the most energetic photoelectrons from reaching the collector plate. Assuming the limiting case is for electrons emitted perpendicular to the plates, their trajectory will be a circle. To just miss the opposite plate, the radius of this circular path must be equal to the plate separation .
R = \dfrac{mv_\max}{eB} = d
The maximum velocity v_\max is related to K_\max by K_\max = \dfrac{1}{2}mv_\max^2, which gives v_\max = \sqrt{\dfrac{2K_\max}{m}}.
Substituting v_\max into the radius equation:
B = \dfrac{\sqrt{2mK_\max}}{ed}
Substituting the standard values (, , ):
Answer: