A photoelectric surface is illuminated successively by monochromatic light of wavelength and /2. If the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons in the second case is 3 times that in the first case, the work function of the surface of the material is (h = Planck's constant, c = speed of light)
- 2hc
- hc3
- hc2
- hc
Answer
(3) hc2
Solution
Einstein's photoelectric equation: K = hc - 0
First case: K1 = hc - 0
Second case: K2 = 2hc - 0
K2 = 3K1 ⇒ 2hc - 0 = 3hc - 3 0
⇒ 2 0 = hc
0 = hc2
Answer: (3)