Dualnature Casebased
Dualnature Casebased
Dualnature Casebased
QUESTION NO. 1
The discovery of the phenomenon of photoelectric effect has been one of the most important discoveries in
modern science. The experimental observations associated with this phenomenon made us realize that our,
‘till then’, widely accepted picture of the nature of light – The electromagnetic (wave) theory of light – was
quite inadequate to understand this phenomenon. A ‘new picture’ of light was needed and it was provided by
Einstein through his ‘photon theory’ of light. This theory, regarded light as a stream of particles. Attempts to
understand photoelectric effect thus led us to realize that light, which was being regarded as ‘waves’, could
also behave like ‘particles’. This led to the idea of ‘wave-particle duality’ vis-à-vis the nature of light.
Attempts to understand this ‘duality’, and related phenomenon, led to far reaching, and very important
developments, in the basic theories of Physics.
QUESTION NO 2
The concept of ‘wave nature of matter’ was postulated by de Broglie in 1924. It was confirmed
experimentally by Davisson and Germer a few years after its postulation. Therefore, the realization was
that ‘wave nature’ and ‘particle nature’ can be viewed as the ‘two sides of a coin’. Both matter and radiation
can exhibit either of these ‘natures’, depending on the experimental situation. The phenomena of
photoelectric effect and the concept of ‘matter waves’, have been put to very useful and interesting practical
applications. We are aware of photocells, automatic doors at shops and malls, automatic light switches that
turn on the lights as soon as the intensity drops.
4 ) The de-broglie wavelength ,associated with a proton and neutron are found to be equal.Which
of the two has a higher value of K.E?
5 )An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 300 volt.What is its energy in eV?
QUESTION NO 3
Lenard observed that when ultraviolet radiations were allowed to fall on the emitter plate of an evacuated
glass tube, enclosing two electrodes (metal plates), current started flowing in the circuit connecting the
plates. As soon as the ultraviolet radiations were stopped, the current flow also stopped. These observations
proved that it was ultraviolet radiations, falling on the emitter plate, that ejected some charged particles from
the emitter and the positive plate attracted them.
1) Alkali metals like Li, Na, K and Cs show photo electric effect with visible light but metals like
Zn, Cd and Mg respond to ultraviolet light. Why?
i) Frequency of visible light is more than that for ultraviolet light
ii) Frequency of visible light is less than that for ultraviolet light
iii) Frequency of visible light is same for ultraviolet light
iv) Stopping potential forvisible light is more than that for ultraviolet light
2) Why do we not observe the phenomenon of photoelectric effect with non-metals?
i) For non metals the work function is high
ii) Work function is low
iii) Work function can’t be calculated
iv) For non metals, threshold frequency is low
3) What is the effect of increase in intensity on photoelectric current?
i)Photoelectric current increases ii) Decreases iii) No change iv) Varies with the square of
intensity
5) How does the maximum K.E of the electrons emitted vary with the work function of metal?
i) It doesn’t depend on work function ii)It decreases as the work function increases
iii) It increases as the work function increases iv) It’s value is doubled with the work function
QUESTION NO 4
We know that metals have free electrons which contribute towards conduction of electricity and heat. The
electrons cannot normally escape from the metal surface. Why? When an electron escapes from the metal
surface, it is quite likely to be quickly absorbed back as the metal becomes positive. One can thus
understand that it is captive within the metal even though it can freely move within the metal. A certain
minimum (external) energy is required to be given to an electron for it to escape a given metal surface. This
is known as the work function for that metal. It is denoted by and is measured in electron volt eV. One eV is
the energy gained by an electron when it is accelerated by a potential difference of 1 Volt.
1) Does the size of the atom effects the value of work function?
i) Yes ii) No iii)Sometimes iv) remain same
4) Work function of platinum is the highest ( =5.65eV) and is least for Caesium ( =2.1eV). If
energy, equal to the work function is required by electrons to escape, which of the two will need lesser
energy?
i) Caesium ii)Platinum iii) same for both iv)Can’t be calculated
Studies, that followed, showed that different metals emit electrons when irradiated by different
electromagnetic radiations. For example, alkali metals (sodium, caesium, potassium) emit electrons with
X–rays ultraviolet light and also with visible light, except red and orange light. Heavy metals, like zinc,
cadmium, magnesium, emit electrons only when ultraviolet radiations fall on .
5) Alkali metals like Li, Na, K and Cs show photo electric effect with visible light but metals like
Zn, Cd and Mg respond to ultraviolet light. Why?
i) Frequency of visible light is more than that for ultraviolet light
ii) Frequency of visible light is less than that for ultraviolet light
iii) Frequency of visible light is same for ultraviolet light
iv) Stopping potential forvisible light is more than that for ultraviolet light