MHT CET202527 Apr 2025Evening ShiftPhysicsDual Nature of MatterActual
The work functions of Caesium (Cs), Potassium (K) and sodium (Na) are 2.14 eV , 2.30 eV , and 2.75 eV respectively. If incident electromagnetic radiation has an incident energy of 2.41 eV , which of these photosensitive surfaces may emit photoelectrons?
Options
- ANa only
- BK only
- CBoth K and Cs
- DBoth Cs and Na
Correct answer
A. Na only
Step-by-step solution
Photoelectron emission occurs when incident radiation energy E exceeds or equals the work function of the metal. Comparing the given E = 2.41 , eV with each work function: For Caesium: _ Cs = 2.14 , eV , so 2.41 2.14 . For Potassium: _ K = 2.30 , eV , so 2.41 2.30 . For Sodium: _ Na = 2.75 , eV , so 2.41 Emission occurs for Caesium and Potassium, but not Sodium.