What would happen to n and Emax when  a) the intensity is reduced to 1/2 I but the wavelength λ is unchanged? b) the wavelength λ is reduced but the intensity is unchanged?

FULL QUESTION: Electromagnetic radiation of wavelength λ and intensity I, incident on a metal surface, causes n electrons to be emitted per unit time. The maximum kinetic energy of the electrons is Emax. What would happen to n and Emax when 
a) the intensity is reduced to 1/2 I but the wavelength λ is unchanged?
b) the wavelength λ is reduced but the intensity is unchanged?

ANSWER: Intensity is directly proportional to the rate of photoelectric current (photons per unit time) which is directly proportional to the rate of electron emission from the metal surface. So I is proportional to n. A decrease in I by 1/2 would therefore mean a decrease in n by 1/2. Therefore n decreases. However the Emax of the electrons remains the same as the wavelength is unchanged.

A reduced wavelength would mean that the photons emitted have higher energy (E = hc/ λ and h and c are constant therefore a smaller  λ would mean a larger energy) therefore Emax will increase. However the intensity is constant. Intensity is energy per unit time per unit area therefore for it to remain constant either area or time must change with the increased energy from reduced wavelength. The area on which the EM radiation is incident remains the same (same metal surface) therefore the time must change. This means fewer photons will be emitted per unit time so fewer electrons will be emitted per unit time causing a decrease in n.

KE
Answered by Kim E. Physics tutor

7136 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A sigma0 particle with mass 1193 MeV/c^2 decays into a lambda0 particle with mass 1116 MeV/c^2 a photon. Find the energy and momentum of the photon, assuming that the kinetic energy of the lambda0 particle is negligible.


A coil is connected to an analogue centre zero ammeter. A magnet is dropped (North pole first) so that it falls vertically and completely through the coil. What would be observe on the ammeter?


A ball is dropped from rest from a window 3m above ground height. How long will it take the ball to hit the ground? (You may assume air resistance on the ball is negligible.)


If two cars are moving, labelled car A and car B. Car A moves at 15 m/s and B at 10 m/s but car B also accelerated at 2 m/s/s. If the two both travel for ten seconds, which car will travel further?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning