Photoelectric Effect

AP Chemistry· difficulty 4/5

A metal has work function (binding energy) Φ. Light of frequency ν shines on it. The kinetic energy of ejected electrons follows KE = hν - Φ.

metal surface incoming photon ejected e-

If the frequency is doubled (above the threshold), the kinetic energy of ejected electrons:

  • A

    Stays the same

  • B

    Decreases

  • C

    Increases by hν (the additional photon energy)

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  • D

    Doubles

Explanation

KE_new - KE_old = h(2ν) - hν = hν, so KE rises by exactly hν of the original photon.

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