How to Identify a Metal Using Work Function and Wavelength?

Click For Summary
To calculate the work function of a metal using the photoelectric effect, the key equation to use is E = hf - φ, where E is the energy of the emitted electrons, hf is the energy of the incoming photons, and φ is the work function of the metal. Given a wavelength of 200.0 nm, the energy of the photons can be calculated using the formula E = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant and c is the speed of light. Once the energy of the photons is determined, the stopping potential (3.33 V) can be converted to energy using E = eV, where e is the charge of an electron. The work function can then be found by rearranging the initial equation to φ = hf - eV. This process allows for the identification of the metal based on its work function, which is a characteristic property of each metal.
geej77
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Calculating Work Function

I am having trouble identifying a metal (based on its work function) given the wavelength and stopping potential. I will give more specifics below but can anyone help me with useful formulas to make this a little more streamlined in the future? Thanks!

Ultraviolet radiation with wavelength 200.0 nm hits a metal and electrons are emitted, which can be stopped by a potential of 3.33 V. What is the work function/identity of the metal?
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Start with the equation describing photoelectric effect. You will need to convert between different ways of expressing energy, other than that it is just a simple plug and chug.
 
Thanks I will give it a shot!
 

Thread 'Gold hydride - what is the significance?'

I came.across a headline and read some of the article, so I was curious. Scientists discover that gold is a 'reactive metal' by accidentally creating a new material in the lab https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-that-gold-is-reactive-metal-by-creating-gold-hydride-in-lab-experiment/ From SLAC - A SLAC team unexpectedly formed gold hydride in an experiment that could pave the way for studying materials under extreme conditions like those found inside certain planets and stars undergoing...
View full post »

Similar threads

Raman Spectroscopy Setup Not Functioning as Intended
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about the Photoelectric Effect and the Work Function of a Metal
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Wavelength-stopping potential dependence
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Calculating Stopping Potential in Photoelectric Effect Experiment
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Calculating Kinetic Energy of Photoelectrons in Ultraviolet Metal Interaction
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
How does thermionic emission work?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Quantum Physics: Work Function and Electric Potential
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Threshold Wavelength for Photoelectric Effect - 6.476103179e-19J
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
Work function and kinetic energy
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculating Work Function of Metal in a Photocell
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
17K