Will the photoelectric effect occur in zinc under the action of radiation having a wavelength of 0.45 μm?
Will the photoelectric effect occur in zinc under the action of radiation having a wavelength of 0.45 μm? The work function of electrons from zinc is 4.2 eV. Planck’s constant H = 4.136 * 10 ^ – (15) eVs.
λ = 0.45 μm = 0.45 * 10 ^ -6 m.
Av = 4.2 eV = 6.72 * 10 ^ -19 J.
h = 4.136 * 10 ^ -15 eV * s = 6.6 * 10 ^ -34 J * s.
C = 3 * 10 ^ 8 m / s
Eph -?
The energy of the incident photons Eph goes to knock out electrons from the surface of the metal Av and impart kinetic energy Ek.
Eph = Av + Ek.
For the photoeffect to occur, it is necessary that the photon energy be sufficient to knock out electrons from the metal surface.
Eph ≥ Av.
The energy of photons Eph is expressed by the formula: Eph = h * C / λ, where h is Planck’s constant, C is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength of photons.
Eph = 6.6 * 10 ^ -34 J * s * 3 * 10 ^ 8 m / s / 0.45 * 10 ^ -6 m = 4.4 * 10 ^ -19 J.
We see that Eph <Av, therefore the energy of the photons is not enough for the phenomenon of the photoelectric effect.
Answer: There will be no photo effect.