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
Suppose the frequency and intensity of a light source are both...
Suppose the frequency and intensity of a light source are both doubled. Evaluate the two statements below.
(A) The saturation photocurrent remains nearly unchanged.
(B) The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is doubled.
(A) The saturation photocurrent remains nearly unchanged.
(B) The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is doubled.
Options
- ABoth A and B are incorrect.
- BBoth A and B are correct.
- CA is incorrect but B is correct.
- DA is correct but B is incorrect.
Correct answer
D. A is correct but B is incorrect.
Step-by-step solution
The intensity of a light source is given by , where is the number of photons incident per unit area per unit time and is the frequency of the light.
When both the intensity and the frequency are doubled, the new intensity is and the new frequency is .
The new number of incident photons per unit area per unit time is .
Since the number of incident photons remains unchanged, the number of emitted photoelectrons per unit time remains the same. Thus, the saturation photocurrent remains unchanged. Statement A is correct.
According to Einstein's photoelectric equation, the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is , where is the work function of the material.
When the frequency is doubled, the new maximum kinetic energy is .
Since , we get . The maximum kinetic energy is more than doubled, not exactly doubled. Statement B is incorrect.
When both the intensity and the frequency are doubled, the new intensity is and the new frequency is .
The new number of incident photons per unit area per unit time is .
Since the number of incident photons remains unchanged, the number of emitted photoelectrons per unit time remains the same. Thus, the saturation photocurrent remains unchanged. Statement A is correct.
According to Einstein's photoelectric equation, the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is , where is the work function of the material.
When the frequency is doubled, the new maximum kinetic energy is .
Since , we get . The maximum kinetic energy is more than doubled, not exactly doubled. Statement B is incorrect.