Photons and the Photoelectric effect

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the photoelectric effect, specifically focusing on the relationship between the energy of photons, the work function of metallic sodium, and the kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between photon energy, kinetic energy of electrons, and the work function. Questions arise about specific calculations and the relationships between energy, frequency, and wavelength.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to calculate the kinetic energy and total energy of the photon, while others are clarifying the relationships involved. There is an acknowledgment of different interpretations of the problem, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has not yet attempted a solution, and there is an emphasis on understanding the underlying physics rather than jumping to conclusions.

MrDMD83
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Homework Statement



Light is incident on the surface of metallic sodium, whose work function is 2.3 eV. The maximum speed of the photoelectrons emitted by the surface is 1.08 106 m/s. What is the wavelength of the light?



Homework Equations



e=hf

p=h/wavelength


The Attempt at a Solution



None so far
 
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What is the kinetic energy imparted to the electron and thus what was the total energy of the photon.
 
Could you be a bit more specific?
 
Well you know the photon energy is the energy needed to remove the electron plus the kinetic energy of the emited electron. You are given the work function (i.e. the energy required to remove the electron) and the electron speed from which you can work out the kinetic energy of the electron. You have already stated the relation between photon energy and frequency. What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength of light?
 
So I use .5mv^2 to get the KE.
From there I divide the sum of the KE and work function by Planck's Constant. I then divide c by f to get the wavelength?
 
Ok, I got it. I made the problem more difficult than it needed to be. Thank you for the help.
 

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