Question

The work function for a certain metal is 4.2 eV. Will this metal give photoelectric emission for incident radiation of wavelength 330 nm?

Answer 1

No

Work function of the metal,

Charge on an electron, e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C

Planck’s constant, h = 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ Js

Wavelength of the incident radiation, λ = 330 nm = 330 × 10⁻⁹ m

Speed of light, c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s

The energy of the incident photon is given as:

It can be observed that the energy of the incident radiation is less than the work function of the metal. Hence, no photoelectric emission will take place.