Question

The work function of a metal is $3.31\times 1.6\times {10}^{-19}$ joule. Calculate its threshold frequency in hertz.

Answer 1

Work function of metal is defined as minimum energy required to cause photoelectric emission from the metal. The energy corresponds to that of a photon with threshold frequency.

Hence $W_0=h{\nu }_0$

$⟹{\nu }_0=\frac{W_0}{h}$

$=\frac{3.31\times 1.6\times {10}^{-19}}{6.626\times {10}^{-34}}Hz$

$=8\times {10}^{14}Hz$