JEE Main20264 April 2026Morning ShiftPhysicsDual Nature of MatterActual
The graph shows variation of stopping potential V_o with the frequency of the incident radiation for three photosensitive metals X₁ , X₂ and X₃ . Which metal will give out electrons with greater kinetic energy, for the same wavelength of incident radiation?
Options
- AX₁
- BX₂
- CX₃
- DAll the metals will give out photo electrons with same kinetic energies.
Correct answer
A. X₁
Step-by-step solution
From Einstein's photoelectric equation, the maximum kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons is given by: K_ max = hc - where is the wavelength of incident radiation and is the work function of the metal. The work function is related to the threshold frequency ₀ by = h ₀ . From the given graph, the x-intercept represents the threshold frequency. We can observe that: ₀(X₁) Therefore, the work functions of the metals follow the order: (X₁) For the same wavelength of incident radiation, the term hc is constant. Thus,