When a certain metal is illuminated with light of frequency 3x1015 Hz, a stopping potential of 5.5 V is required to stop the ejected electrons. What is the work function of this metal in eV ?(Notice that the stopping potential is the potential difference required to bring the electrons with the maximum kinetic energy to a complete stop.)
The answer is in eV
please help me...................... =(
2007-12-02 12:26:28 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
To first order, the work function is the amount of energy that is just enough to detach an electron from the surface (i.e. leaving it with a kinetic energy of 0)
A photon at the specified frequency gives electrons enough energy to detach from the surface with the specified kinetic energy.
Since you know the frequency, you know the energy of each photon.
You also know the amount of kinetic energy the electrons have after they have paid their work-function debt.
What more do you need?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_function
2007-12-03 18:06:31 · answer #1 · answered by simplicitus 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋