Electrons are emitted with zero velocity from a metal surface

Question.

Electrons are emitted with zero velocity from a metal surface when it is exposed to radiation of wavelength 6800 Å. Calculate threshold frequency $\left(\begin{array}{ll}v_{0} & )\end{array}\right.$ and work function (W0) of the metal.


Solution:

Threshold wavelength of radiation $\left(\lambda_{0}\right)=6800 =6800 \times 10^{-10} \mathrm{~m}$

Threshold frequency $\left(v_{0}\right)$ of the metal

$=\frac{c}{\lambda_{0}}=\frac{3 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}}{6.8 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}}=4.41 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$

Thus, the threshold frequency $\left(v_{0}\right)$ of the metal is $4.41 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$.

Hence, work function $\left(W_{0}\right)$ of the metal $=h v_{0}$

$=\left(6.626 \times 10^{-34} \mathrm{Js}\right)\left(4.41 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}\right)$

$\left.=2.922 \times 10^{-19}\right]$

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