QUANTUM PHYSICS

7.1 QUANTUM THEORY OF LIGHT

7.2 PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
7.3 EINSTEIN’S PHOTOELECTRIC THEORY
7.1 QUANTUM THEORY OF LIGHT
By the end of the lesson, you should be able to :
1. Explain theory of light in Classical and Quantum Theory.
2. Explain Black Body and Black Body Radiation.
3. Explain energy in terms of Quantum (Max Planck)
4. Explain concept of photon energy as discrete energy
packet, E =hf ( Einstein)
5. Explain wave partical duality using de- Broglie’s
ℎ
hypothesis, λ = (Electron microscope)
�
6. Solve problems using E =hf and � = �ℎ�
 Classical Theory :
Light - Electromagnetic spectrum of light (Continuous Wave)
 Relate temperature in Electromagnetic spectrum
* All objects with temperature above absolute zero emits
electromagnetic radiation as shown in the spectrum.

* Cold objects emit waves with low frequencies (radio wave,

microwave)

* Hot objects emit waves with high frequencies ( visible light,

UV radiation )
Black Body
- an idealised body that is able to absorb all
electromagnetic radiation that fall on it.
Black Body Radiation
- Thermal / electromagnetic radiation emitted by a black body
- affected by TEMPERATURE
Examples: -Thermal imaging
- Radiation from the
SUN
- heating filament in
oven
- filament light bulbs
-
- tendency towards left ( short wavelength, high frequency, higher intensity )
- As the temperature of an object increases, the peak wavelength becomes shorter.
- The energy of black body radiation is not shared evenly by all wavelengths. The
intensity becomes nearly zero at the shortest wavelength, highest frequency side.
We know that :
1. When temperature of object is high, electrons gain more
energy to vibrate and more light can be produced.
2. Classical Theory - light energy produced can be unlimited
high as the frequency of electrons has no limit.
3. Inconsistent in Black Body Radiation spectrum - when
temperature in Black Body increases, at highest frequency,
the intensity of light produced is nearly zero.
 QUANTUM THEORY
1. QUANTUM / Discrete - MAX PLANCK
2. PHOTON - ALBERT EINSTEIN
3. LINE SPECTRUM - NEILS BOHR
4. WAVE-DUALITY OF LIGHT - LOUIS DE BROGLIE
1. Max Plank ( � ∝ � )
- Light is emitted in the form of small packet of energy
(discrete)
- Energy of radiation depends on frequency and wavelength
of quantum light.
- Quantum energy, E is directly proportional to frequency, f
Continous vs Discrete
* Probability Distribution ( Discrete )
* 2. Albert Einstein - Photon (packet of energy)
Idea of Photon energy is used to explain Einstein
Photoelectric Theory.

* Energy in light is carried in packets - photon

* Photon Energy, E is directionly proportional to the

frequency of light, f and can be determined
� = ��
h is planck’s constant = 6.63 × 10−34 ��
3. Niels Bohr
* Transition of electrons from a
higher energy level shell to lower
level shell emits PHOTON

* Explain LINE SPECTRUM using

Quantum theory
Produced by the dispersion of white light by prism
Consist of seven visible colours in all wavelengths
No separation between each colour in spectrum
example : radiation from rainbow and black body
radiation
produced by an excited atom when it emits light with
certain wavelength.
Can be absorption or emission spectrum depends on
absorption or emission of photon
Distinctive lines are formed in the spectrum to
represent the presents of an element.
example : hydrogen emission and absorption spectrum
hot mercury vapour lamp
Line Spectrum : Type 1 Emission spectrum
Line Spectrum : Type 2 : Absorption Spectrum
 Photon = Light energy transferred quantum
Photon energy is directly proportional to the frequency of light
waves, � ∝ �

� = �� ℎ = ������’� �������� = 6.63 × 10−34 ��

�
�=� ����� �� ���ℎ�, � = ��
�

Light behaves as waves (electromagnetic wave ) and particles

(photon)
 4. Louis de Broglie
Wave- particle duality
*Light has wave properties and particle(PHOTON)properties.
*All particles exhibit wave properties especially smaller mass
atom such as ELECTRON.

Wave properties - phenomena of waves diffraction and interference.

Particle properties - momentum, kinetic energy and collide with each other.
 Example 1 : Light (Wave Particle) as mentioned by Bohr

Source : https://semesters.in/wave-particle-duality/ https://slideplayer.com/slide/3835569/

Example 2 : Electrons ( Particle Wave)
** Experiment prove Electrons undergoes Diffraction
*Electron shows same pattern as wave in diffraction and
interference.
Formulas by considering Wave-particle duality :

1. De Broglie hypothesis
- When momentum increases, wavelength decreases.
ℎ�
(related to energy- high energy, high momentum, E= )
�
* Meaning this formula works for smaller mass particle such
as Electron.
Wavelength Electron 1000-10 000 times shorter than light.
Kinetic Energy of Particle
1
� = ��2
2
ℎ ℎ
λ = =
�� 2��

Energy for one photon , E=hf

n - number of photons emitted persecond
P- photon power (total energy transfer per second) � = ���
�
� = ��
�
Comparison between image produced by :

Optical Microscope Electron Microscope

 Optical microscope Scanning electron microscope

Optical arrangement Light source →collector lens →condenser Electron gun → electron lens → condenser
lens →specimen → objective lens → eye lens → specimen → detector → amplifier →
piece lens. display screen

Types of lens Glass Magnet

Radiation source Visible light High energy electron beam (1 - 40kV)

Working environment Ambient氛围, vacuum or liquid Highly vacuum

Image formation The reflection of light from the specimen The electrons are dispersed back from the
mechanism specimen

Focusing screen Eye (retina) TV screen

Problem Solving :
7.2 Photoelectric Effect

By the end of the lesson,

1. explain photoelectric effect
2. List Characteristics of Photoelectric Effect
3. define terms :
a. Activation voltage, Va
b. Threshold Frequency, f0
4. Determine Planck’s Constant, h
 7.2 Photoelectric Effect
Light Source

Metal surface

Photoelectric effect is a phenomenon when a metal surface is illuminated

by a beam of light at a certain frequency, electrons are emitted from the
metal.
**depends on incidence light intensity and light frequency/ wavelength
pg234
 Characteristics of Photoelectric Effect
1. Electrons are emitted from the metal surface when the
frequency of the light wave > threshold frequency of light.
2. The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectron does not depend
on intensity of light ( bright or dim).
Intensity of light only affects no. of electrons released not kinetic
energy.
3. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectron increases
with increasing frequency of light.
4. Photoelectron emitted from the surface is instanteneous, even
at low intensity of light.
Example : UV and Visible light ( different frequency)
Brighter light and dimmer light ( different intensity )
Activity 7.5 Determine Planck’s Constant, h = 6.63 × 10−34 ��

Potentiometer -
Voltage divider
- Activation voltage - energy needed for the electrons on the metal to escape
from the surface of metal
- Different colour of LED, different wavelength, different frequency, different
energy supply to the electrons to escape, so we get different activation
voltage.
Based on the graph, determine the
a. gradient, m of the graph
b. Calculate Planck’s constant, h

������ �� �������� = ������ �� �ℎ����

ℎ�
�� =
�
ℎ� ℎ� 1
�= = ( )
�� � �
Discussion on activity 7.5
Classical Theory
- Light in wave form with continous energy and should be able to emit electrons at
any frequency.
- Intensity of light will affect the time taken for the electrons to be released. Bright
light with higher energy will emit electrons quicker than dim light.

OBSERVATION:
We can conclude that,
1. Photoelectric effect depends on frequency of light shines
on the metal.
Threshold frequency, f0 of the light - minimum frequency
for a light photon to produce photoelectric effect on a metal.
( Visible light cannot but UV can)

2. The photoelectrons are emitted instantaneouly.

 7.3 Einstein’s photoelectric Theory- Nobel Prize

- Many energy packets in a beam of light that shines on metal surface.

- 100% photon energy absorbed by electron in metal to release electron from the metal
and extra energy will become kinetic energy of photoelectron.
-Electrons on the surface require maximum kinetic energy to escape if compared to
electrons inside metal.
Work Function, W - minimum energy required for a
photoelectron to be emitted from a metal surface

Threshold frequency, f0 - minimum frequency for a light

photon to produce photoelectric effect

W= hf0
 We can conclude that ,
1. When light shines on metal with threshold frequency, the
electrons gain energy to escape from the surface of the metal.
This minimum energy gain to release photoelectron is called
WORK FUNCTION, W. (W=hf0)

Electrons have NO KINETIC ENERGY at threshold frequency.

2. Different metals have different threshold frequency ( Light

with different wavelength) and different Work Function.