Course name-Experimental Physics-II

Assignment- 12

TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ

Number of questions-15, Total marks- 1×15

1.

In studying the photo electric effect, the following graph is obtained for three different
frequencies ν1 (frequency-1), ν2 ((frequency-2) and ν3 (frequency-3) with intensity of light kept
constant. Now chose the correct option

(a) frequency-1> frequency-2> frequency-3

(b) frequency-2 > frequency-1> frequency-3

(c) frequency-1< frequency-2< frequency-3

(d) frequency-3> frequency-1< frequency-2

Ans. Option-(b)

Solution: Reverse (stopping potential) increases with frequency

2.

When UV light incident on a Zinc metal surface, few electrons are emitted. The phenomenon is
called

(a)Thermal emission

(b)Compton effect

(c) Photovoltaic effect

(d) Photoelectric effect

Ans.: Option-(d)

3.

The phenomenon 'Photoelectric effect' was first observed by Heinrich Hertz. The man who gave
the correct explanation for the same was

(a) Einstein

(b) Max Plank

(c) Heinrich Hertz

(d) Isaac Newton

Ans. Option: (a)

4.

The fundamental theory which could explain Photoelectric effect is

(a) Classical theory

(b) Quantum Theory

(c) Wave theory

(d) Corpuscular theory

Ans.: Option –(b)

5.

Which among the following is true in the case of Photoelectric effect

(a) It is not an instantaneous phenomenon

(b) The photo current is independent of the intensity of incident light

(c) The kinetic energy of photo electrons increases with the frequency of incident radiation

(d) The photo current depends on frequency of incident radiation

Ans. Option-(c)

6.

In a photoelectric experiment, ultraviolet light of wavelength 310 nm falls on the photo cathode
with work function 2.1 eV. The stopping potential should be closed to:
(a) 1.9 V

(b) 1.6 V

(c) 2.2 V

(d) 2.4 V

Ans. Option-(a)

Solution:

Energy in electron volt (eV) is E = 12400/λ(in Å unit)

Here E = 12400/3200 = 4 eV

So Kinetic energy of emitted electron is 4-2.1 eV = 1.9 eV. Thus stopping potential = 1.9 V

7.

A beam of light of 400 nm and of power 1.55 m watt is directed at the cathode of a
photoelectric cell (Given hc = 1240 eVnm , e =1.6×10-19 C). If only 10% of the incident photons
effectively produce photoelectrons, find the current due to these electrons.

(a) 5 mA

(b) 50 µA

(c) 5 µA

(d) 5 A

Ans. Option-(b)

Solution:
8.

If the photo electric work function is Φ eV, the threshold wave length is:

(a) eΦ/h

(b) hc/eΦ

(c) h/Φ

(d) hc/Φ

Ans. Option-(b)

Solution:

Since the work function is given in electron volts you have to write its value in joule and equate
to hc/λ0. You know that Φ electron volt is equal to Φe joule where ‘e’ is the electronic charge.
So, we have Φe = hc/λ0 from which λ0 = hc/eΦ

9.

A metallic surface is irradiated by monochromatic light of frequency ν1and stopping potential is

found to be V1. If light of frequency ν2 irradiates the surface, the stopping potential will be:

(a) V1 + (h/e) (ν1 + ν2)

(b) V1 + (h/e) (ν2 – ν1)

(c) V1 + (e/h) (ν2 – ν1)

(d) V1 - (h/e) (ν1 + ν2)

Ans. Option-(b)
Solution:

In the first case, we have eV1 = h(ν1–ν0) where ν0 is the threshold frequency.
In the second case, we have eV2 = h(ν2–ν0).
Subtracting the first equation from the second, e(V2- V1) = h(ν2–ν1), from which V2 = V1 + h/e(ν2–
ν1). So, the correct option is (b).
[If you find this more convenient, you may do it this way: The extra energy available with the
photon of frequency ν2 = hν2 - hν1. So the extra stopping potential (ΔV) required is given by
e(ΔV) = hν2 - hν1, from which ΔV = h/e(ν2–ν1). Therefore V2 = V1 + h/e(ν2–ν1)]

10.

The photoelectric work function of a surface is 2.2 eV. The maximum kinetic energy of photo
electrons emitted when light of wave length 6200 A.U. is incident on the surface is:

(a) 1.6 eV

(b) 1.4 eV

(c) 1.2 eV

(d) Photo electrons are not emitted

Ans. Option-(d)

Solution:

The correct option is (d) since the energy of the incident photon is 12400/6200 = 2 eV, which is
insufficient for photoemission in the present case. [Note that the product of the energy in
electron volts and the wave length in Angstrom Units in the case of photons is equal to 12400.
Remember this to facilitate easy calculation of energy or wave length when one quantity is
given]

11.
The retarding potential required to stop the emission of photoelectrons when a photosensitive
material of work function 1.2 eV is irradiated with ultraviolet rays of wave length 2000 A.U. is:

(a) 4V

(b) 5V

(c) 6V

(d) 8V

Ans. Option-(b)

Solution:

The solution becomes quite simple if you express the energy of the photon in electron volt.
Since the product of the wave length in Angstrom and the energy in electron volt is 12400 for
any photon, the energy of the photon in the problem is 12400/2000 = 6.2 eV. In accordance
with Einstein’s equation, 1.2 eV [which is the work function] is spent for removing the
photoelectron from the surface and the remaining 5 eV is transferred to the photo electron (as
its kinetic energy). To ‘kill’ this energy of the photo electron you have to apply a retarding
potential of 5 volts. So, the correct option is (b).

12.

The energy of an electron in excited hydrogen atom is -3.4 eV. Then, according to Bohr’s theory,
the angular momentum of the electron in Js is:

(a) 2.11×10-34

(b) 3×10-34

(c) 3×10-34

(d) 0.5×10-34
Ans. Option-(a)

Solution:

Since the energy of the electron is -3.4 eV, the electron is in the second orbit. This is checked
using the energy (in eV) expression E = -13.6/n2 = -3.4 eV, when n = 2.

Since the angular momentum is nh/2π, on substituting for h (=6.63×10-34 Js) and n (=2) we
obtain the first option as the correct answer.

13.

Singly ionized helium (He+) atom is hydrogen like in the sense that a solitary electron revolves
around a positively charged nucleus. If the energy of this electron in its first orbit (n = 1) is –54.4
eV, what will be its energy in the first excited state?

(a) –108.8 eV

(b) –27.2 eV

(c) –13.6 eV

(d) –6.8 eV

Ans. Option-(c)

Solution:

First excited state means the electron is in the second orbit (n = 2).

For hydrogen like atom, the energy of the electron in the orbit of quantum number ‘n’ is
inversely proportional to n2. Since the energy in the first orbit is –54.4 eV, the energy in the
second orbit will be = –13.6 eV (-13.6Z2/n2)
14.

In a mixture of H – He+ gas (He+ is singly ionized He atom) H atoms and He+ ions are excited to
their respective first excited states. Subsequently, H atoms transfer their total excitation energy
to He+ ions (by collisions). Assume that the Bohr model of atom is exactly valid.

The quantum number n of the state finally populated in He+ ions is

(a) 2

(b) 3

(c) 4

(d) 5

Ans. Option-(c)

Solution:

The singly ionised helium atom is hydrogen like since it contains a single electron. In a hydrogen
like atom the energy (E) of the electron in the nth orbit is given by

E = – 13.6 Z2/n2 electron volt where Z is the atomic number.

For hydrogen atom the energies are – 13.6 eV, – 3.4 eV, – 1.51 eV and – 0.85 eV for values of n
equal to 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively

For the helium ion the energies are four fold, equal to – 54.4 eV, – 13.6 eV, – 6.04 eV and – 3.4
eV for values of n equal to 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively

The energy difference between the electrons in first excited states of hydrogen atom is (– 3.4
eV) – (– 13.6 eV) = 10.2 eV.

On collision, the helium ion absorbs this energy and occupies the 3rd excited state (n = 4)

of energy – 13.6 eV + 10.2 eV = –3.4 eV.

Therefore the correct option is (C).

15.

Which state of the triply ionised Be+++ has the same orbital radius (for the electron) as that of
the hydrogen atom in the ground state?

(a) First excited state

(b) Second excited state

(c) Third excited state

(d) Fourth excited state

Ans. Option-(a)

Solution:

The Be atom has lost 3 electrons since it is triply ionised and it behaves as a hydrogen like atom.
Therefore, the radius of the orbit of quantum number ‘n’ is r n2/z where ‘r’ is the Bohr radius
(radius of the electron orbit in the hydrogen atom in the ground state) and ‘z’ is the atomic
number of the hydrogen like atom. Since z = 4 for Be, we have r proportional to n2/4 from
which n = 2, which means the first excited state. So, the correct option is (a).