Practice question
Question
The threshold wavelength for a metal is \( 600 \, \text{nm} \). What is its work function in eV? (Take
\( h c = 1240 \, \text{eV nm} \))
Explanation
**De Broglie wavelength calculations** for electron moving at 2×10⁶ m/s λ= h/(m v)=6.63×10⁻³⁴/(9.11×10⁻³¹×2×10⁶)=3.64×10⁻¹⁰ m=0.364 nm, for mass 5×10⁻³⁰ kg v=2×10⁵ m/s λ=6.63×10⁻³⁴/(1×10⁻²⁴)=6.63×10⁻¹⁰ m, showing λ decreases with increasing m v. Work function Φ₀ = (h c/λ₀) . Φ₀ = (1240/600) ≈ 2.07 eV . Applying E = h f = h c/λ, p = h/λ, K_max = h f - Φ, Φ = h f₀ = h c/λ₀, λ = h/√(2 m e V) and f_max = e V/h, result 2.07 eV follows, reflecting photoelectric and de Broglie relations.
Discussion
Comments
Please log in to join the discussion.
Login to commentNo comments yet. Be the first to start the discussion.