Question

Lithium, beryllium, and mercury have work functions of 2.30 eV, 3.90 eV, and 4.50 eV, respectively. Light with a wavelength of 465 nm is incident on each of these metals.

(a) Determine which of these metals exhibit the photoelectric effect for this incident light. (Select all that apply.)

lithium

beryllium

mercury

Explain your reasoning.

(b) Find the maximum kinetic energy for the photoelectrons in each case.

Kmax, Li = ___________eV

Kmax, Be =___________ eV

Kmax, Hg = ____________eV

Answer 1

a) Work function

For Lithium

For Beryllium

For Mercury

Lithium will exhibit the photoelectric effect while Beryllium and mercury will not exhibit photoelectric effect. To exhibit pototelectric effect from a metal, the threshold wavelength of matel should be more than the wavelength of incident light.

(b) Maximum kinetic energy of photoelectron

For Lithium

For Beryllium

For Mercury