Photoelectric effect white light

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White light with wavelengths from 380 to 750 nm is incident on a metal with a work function of 2.46 eV. The energy of the photon is calculated using the formula E = hf, resulting in E_max = 2.6504E-19 Joules. To find the maximum kinetic energy (KE_max) of the emitted electrons, the equation KE_max = E_max - W_o is used. Given that W_o is 2.46 eV, the calculation involves converting this value to Joules for accurate subtraction. The discussion emphasizes the relationship between photon energy, wavelength, and the kinetic energy of photoelectrons.
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White light (ranging in wavelengths from 380 to 750 nm) is incident on a metal with work function Wo = 2.46 eV.
(a) What is the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons emitted from the surface?

KEmax = eV


E = hf = hc/lamda.

E = (6.626*10^-34)(3*10^8) / (750*10^-9) = 2.6504E-19

I know to get KEmax i need to do 2.35- something = 0


Thanks
 
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Note that energy of the photon is 'inversely proportional' to wavelength, and directly proportional to frequency.

The KEmax(photoelectron) = Emax(photon) - Wo
 
Astronuc said:
Note that energy of the photon is 'inversely proportional' to wavelength, and directly proportional to frequency.

The KEmax(photoelectron) = Emax(photon) - Wo
so i found emax which was 2.65E-19 right? so wat i would do is 2.65E-19 - 2.35?
 
Your E_max value is the energy contained within the photon of light.
For every photon absorbed (E_max worth of energy), some amount of that energy is spent removing the electron from the metal and the rest goes into the KE of the electron.

KE_max_electron = E_max - W_o
You are given a value for W_o in terms of electronvolts (a unit of energy) and you have previously calculated the E_max value, so you should be able to calculate from here the max KE value of the electron.

1 eV = 1.602176462 E-19 Joules
 
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