Disemak oleh: Cikgu Izzat Zubir

Content standard Learning standard

7.1 Quantum Theory of Light • Explain the initiation of the quantum theory
• Describe quantum of energy
• Explain wave-particle duality
• Explain concept of photon
• Solve problems using :
i. photon energy, E=hf
ii. power, P=nhf

7.2 Photoelectric Effect • Explain photoelectric effect

• Identify four characteristics of photoelectric effect
that cannot be explained using wave theory

7.3 Einstein’s Photoelectric Theory

• State minimum work function needed by a metal to
emit an electron using Einstein’s Equation
• Explain threshold frequency, fo and work function, W
• Determine work function of metal, W=hfo
• Solve problems involving Einstein’s equation for
photoelectric effect.
• Explain production of photoelectric current in a
photocell circuit
• Describe applications of photoelectric effect

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7.1 Quantum Theory of Light
Black body • Idealised body that is able to absorb all electromagnetic radiation that falls on it.
• Can emit thermal radiation depending on its temperature.

Black body radiator

Object emitting electromagnetic electromagnetic radiation that includes visible light

radiation which is determined by its and radiation that cannot be seen by the human eye
temperature such as infrared radiation.

Ideas that Sparked the Quantum Physics Theory

Classical physics • When temperature increase, electrons vibrates with more

energy and produces more light.
• Frequency of electrons’ vibration also has no limits.
Radiation intensity

• Light energy produced can reach unlimited values.

Experimental results • Experimental results are not consistent with

classical physics theory.
• Light intensity does not continue to increase
with the increase of wave frequency.
• “UV catastrophe”

Wavelength

Classical Theory

Particle nature of light Double-slit experiment Dalton Atomic Model Discovery of electrons

Quantum Theory

Quantization of energy Photoelectric-effect Spectral lines / Wave-particle duality

atomic model

Image source: Google.com

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Quantization of Energy
Continuous spectrum Line spectrum

• Produced by dispersion of white light by a prism • Produced by an excited atom

• No separation gap between each colour • Each element produces a spectrum with a series
of its own distinctive lines (unique λ and f)

continuous
Quantization of energy
• discrete energy packet and not a continuous energy.
• depends on the frequency of the waves. quantum
Photons: light energies transferred in energy quanta.

c Singular – quanta
c=fλ f= Plural – quantum
λ
E : photon energy
hc h : Planck’s constant (6.63 x 10 -34 Js)
E = hf E=
λ f : frequency of light waves
c : speed of light in vacuum (3.0 x 10 8 ms-1)
P : power
use when f is given use when λ is given n : number of photons per second

P = nhf
nhc
P=
λ

E X A M P L E

Given that the frequency of a light wave is 6.0 x 10 14 Hz and the power of the source is 0.3 W. Calculate;
a. the photon energy. b. the number of photon emitted per second.

E=hf P=nhf
= (6.63 x 10 -34) (6.0 x 10 14) 0.3 = n (6.63 x 10 -34) (6.0 x 10 14)
= 3.98 x 10 -19 J n = 7.54 x 10 17 s-1

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Exercise
Planck’s constant = 6.63 x 10-34 Js; mass of electron = 9.11 x 10-31 kg;
1eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J; speed of light in vacuum = 3.0 x 10 8 ms-1

a. Given that the frequency of a light wave is 7.5 x 10 14 Hz. Calculate the photon energy.

b. Given that the wavelength of a light wave is 300nm. Calculate the photon energy.

c. A 40 W lamp emits blue light with a wavelength of 4.0 × 10–7 m. What is the number of photons
emitted per second?

d. A laser light beam has a power of 7.00 mW. The frequency of light source is 6.5 x 10 14 Hz.
Calculate the number of photons per second in the laser light beam.

e. A green light source with 550nm wavelength is emitted. What is the output power of the light
source if 5.0 x 1018 of photons are emitted per second?

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Wave-Particle Duality
• Wave properties Undergo diffraction and interference
• Particle properties Possess kinetic energy and momentum

Louis de Broglie hypothesis - all particles can exhibit wave characteristics.

(can be proven experimentally with particles with small mass such as electrons)

m↑λ↓ λ : wavelength
h : Planck’s constant (6.63 x 10 -34 Js)
ℎ ℎ
λ= λ= p : momentum
𝑝 p = mv 𝑚𝑣 m : mass
v : velocity

ℎ K : kinetic energy
1
𝐾 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
λ=
2𝑚𝐾

Experiment

1 • Diffraction pattern of red laser 2 • Diffraction pattern of

light through pinhole electrons through a thin layer
• Light (wave) exhibiting wave of graphite
properties • Electron (particle) exhibiting
wave properties

Application: Electron microscopy

3 4
• de Broglie wavelength of electron is shorter
than wavelength of visible light
• Electron will be less diffracted than light
• Electron microscope has higher magnification
and resolution than optical microscope

Blood under Blood under

light microscope electron microscope

1. Epzcaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Source: Lambda scientific systems (https://lambdasys.com/uploads/201601/20160127-120025495257.jpg)
3. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Laura Max., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
4. National Cancer Institute - Bruce Wetzel and Harry Schaefer (Photographers)

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Exercise
Planck’s constant = 6.63 x 10-34 Js; mass of electron = 9.11 x 10-31 kg;
1eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J; speed of light in vacuum = 3.0 x 10 8 ms-1

a. A laser light beam has a wavelength of 600 nm. Calculate the momentum of a photon in the laser
beam.

b. Given that the frequency of a light wave is 7.5 x 10 14 Hz. Calculate the momentum.

c. Given that the de Broglie wavelength of an electron is 1.23 nm. Calculate;

i. momentum
ii. velocity
iii. kinetic energy

d. How much kinetic energy does one electron have when its de Broglie wavelength is 400 nm?

e. Given a laser pulse with power of 60 mW and a wavelength of 800 nm.

i. What is the momentum of one photon from the laser pulse?
ii. How much energy does one photon carry?
iii. What is the number of photons per second?
iv. What is the total momentum transferred by the laser pulse per second?

f. A student bombarded sand with mass of 2.0 x 10 -9 kg through a small slit at a speed of 0.5 ms-1.
The size of the slit is given as 0.5 mm. Assuming that the sand is small enough to pass through
the slit;
i. Estimate the de Broglie wavelength of the sand.
ii. Will diffraction pattern be observed when the sand passes through the slit? Explain your
answer.

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7.2 Photoelectric Effect
Emission of electron from a metal when the
metal surface is illuminated by a beam of light
at a certain frequency

Photocell circuit

1. Light beam illuminates light sensitive metal surface

Anode Cathode (cathode)
2. Electrons will be emitted from the metal surface
(photoelectrons)
3. Photoelectrons attracted to the anode (positive)
4. Current is produced
5. Milliammeter shows value of the current.

Characteristics of photoelectric effect

1. The higher the frequency of the photon of light, the higher the kinetic energy of the
photoelectrons emitted from the metal surface.
2. Threshold frequency, f0: Minimum frequency of light needed for a metal to emit electrons.
3. Kinetic energy of photoelectrons does not depend on the intensity of light.
4. Photoelectrons are emitted instantaneously when a metal surface is illuminated by light.

flight lower than f0 flight higher than f0

• Photoelectric effect occurs

Low intensity light • No photoelectric effect
• Less photoelectrons emitted

• Photoelectric effect occurs

High intensity light • No photoelectric effect
• More photoelectrons emitted

Determining Planck’s constant

I VA

ℎ𝑐
m= 𝑒

1
V
VA λ
Va : activation voltage
e : charge of an electron (1.60 x 10–19 C)
c : speed of light in vacuum (3.00 x 108 m s–1)

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Exercise
Complete the table below with the correct answer.

Number of
Kinetic energy of
Photoelectric effect photoelectrons
Conditions photoelectrons
( yes / no ) released
( high / low )
( more / less )

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

f0 = 10 Hz

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7.3 Einstein’s Photoelectric Theory

Electron
Photon moves E = W + K max
energy

1 2
hf = W + 𝑚 𝑣 𝑚𝑎𝑥
Electron released 2

E : photon energy

Work function, W: ( value of W depends on metal ) W : work function

The minimum energy required for a photoelectron to be
emitted from a metal surface.
Kmax : maximum kinetic energy

Let’s say the photon has 10 J of energy ( E ). Principle of conservation of energy

After it hits the metal, 3 J is used to release
electron ( W ). The extra 7 J is the kinetic energy Total energy before = Total energy after
of the escaped photoelectron ( Kmax ). 10 J = 3 J + 7 J

No photoelectric Photoelectric effect

effect occurs for metal A
W = hf0

Different metals have different f0 and W.

Gradient = Planck’s constant
x-intercept = Threshold frequency
y-intercept = Work function

v = f0 λ0
Threshold wavelength, λ 0 :
Maximum wavelength of light needed
for a metal to emit electrons for that
metal.
E X A M P L E

Graph on the right shows the change in kinetic energy of Kmax / J

photoelectrons released from a metal for different light
frequencies.
a. Determine the threshold frequency.
f0 = x - intercept
f0 = 6.0 x 1014 Hz

b. Calculate the work function of the metal.

W = h f0
= (6.63 x 10-34) (6.0 x 1014)
= 3.98 x 10-19 J

6.0 f / x 1014 Hz

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Exercise
Planck’s constant = 6.63 x 10-34 Js; mass of electron = 9.11 x 10-31 kg;
1eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J; speed of light in vacuum = 3.0 x 10 8 ms-1

a. A violet light with a frequency of 7.5 × 1014 Hz is shone on a calcium metal surface. What is the
maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted? [Work function of calcium = 4.60 × 10-19 J]

b. A red light with a wavelength of 700 nm is shone on a calcium metal surface. Can photoelectric
effect be observed? Show your working. [Work function of calcium = 4.60 × 10-19 J]

c. A semiconductor material in a photocell can be activated by light with maximum wavelength of

1500 nm. Calculate;
i. threshold frequency
ii. work function

d. The minimum energy required for the photoelectron to escape from a metal surface is 2.5 eV.
What is the threshold wavelength of the metal?

Applications of photoelectric effect

(Refer to page 244 and 245 of the textbook)

• Solar cells
• Light detector of automatic door
• Image sensor
• ISS solar panel

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