Question

In compliance with conservation of energy, Einstein explained that in the photoelectric effect, the energy of a photon (hv) absorbed by a metal is the sum of the work function (Φ), the minimum energy needed to dislodge an electron from the metal’s surface, and the kinetic energy (Ek) of the electron: hv = Φ + Ek. When light of wavelength 358.1 nm falls on the surface of potassium metal, the speed (u) of the dislodged electron is 6.40 x 10⁵ m7s. (a) What is Ek (½mu²) of the dislodged electron? (b) What is Φ (in J) of potassium?

Answer 1

Answer:

 a) 1.866 × 10 ⁻¹⁹ J      b)   3.685 × 10⁻¹⁹ J

Explanation:

the constants involved are

h ( Planck constant) = 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ m² kg/s

Me of electron = 9.109 × 10 ⁻³¹ kg

speed of light = 3.0 × 10 ⁸ m/s

a) the Ek ( kinetic energy of the dislodged electron) = 0.5 mu²

Ek = 0.5 × 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ × ( 6.40 × 10⁵ )² = 1.866 × 10 ⁻¹⁹ J

b) Φ ( minimum energy needed to dislodge the electron ) can be calculated by this formula

hv =   Φ + Ek

where Ek = 1.866 × 10 ⁻¹⁹ J

v ( threshold frequency ) = c / λ where c is the speed of light and λ is the wavelength of light = 358.1 nm = 3.581 × 10⁻⁷ m

v = ( 3.0 × 10 ⁸ m/s ) / (3.581 × 10⁻⁷ m ) = 8.378 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹

hv = 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ m² kg/s ×  8.378 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹ = 5.551 × 10⁻¹⁹ J

5.551 × 10⁻¹⁹ J = 1.866 × 10 ⁻¹⁹ J + Φ

Φ = 5.551 × 10⁻¹⁹ J - 1.866 × 10 ⁻¹⁹ J = 3.685 × 10⁻¹⁹ J