MCQMediumJEE 2025Photoelectric Effect

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

A photo-emissive substance is illuminated with a radiation of wavelength λi\lambda_i so that it releases electrons with de-Broglie wavelength λe\lambda_e. The longest wavelength of radiation that can emit photoelectron is λ0\lambda_0. Expression for de-Broglie wavelength is given by :

(mm : mass of the electron, hh : Planck's constant and cc : speed of light)

  • A

    λe=h2mc(hλihλ0)\lambda_e = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mc \left( \frac{h}{\lambda_i} - \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \right)}}

  • B

    λe=hλ02mc\lambda_e = \sqrt{\frac{h \lambda_0}{2mc}}

  • C

    λe=h2mch(1λi1λ0)\lambda_e = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mch \left( \frac{1}{\lambda_i} - \frac{1}{\lambda_0} \right)}}

  • D

    λe=hλi2mc\lambda_e = \sqrt{\frac{h \lambda_i}{2mc}}

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Incident radiation has wavelength λi\lambda_i, threshold wavelength is λ0\lambda_0, and the emitted electron has de-Broglie wavelength λe\lambda_e.

Find: The correct expression for λe\lambda_e.

Use Einstein's photoelectric equation and the de-Broglie relation.

The energy of the incident photon is

Eincident=hcλiE_{\text{incident}} = \frac{hc}{\lambda_i}

and the work function is

ϕ=hcλ0\phi = \frac{hc}{\lambda_0}

So the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electron is

Kmax=hcλihcλ0K_{\max} = \frac{hc}{\lambda_i} - \frac{hc}{\lambda_0}

Now use

Kmax=p22mK_{\max} = \frac{p^2}{2m}

Therefore,

p=2mKmax=2m(hcλihcλ0)p = \sqrt{2mK_{\max}} = \sqrt{2m \left( \frac{hc}{\lambda_i} - \frac{hc}{\lambda_0} \right)}

The de-Broglie wavelength is

λe=hp\lambda_e = \frac{h}{p}

Hence,

λe=h2m(hcλihcλ0)\lambda_e = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2m \left( \frac{hc}{\lambda_i} - \frac{hc}{\lambda_0} \right)}}

which can be written as

λe=h2mc(hλihλ0)\lambda_e = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mc \left( \frac{h}{\lambda_i} - \frac{h}{\lambda_0} \right)}}

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Using Momentum Form Directly

Given: Kmax=hcλiϕK_{\max} = \frac{hc}{\lambda_i} - \phi and ϕ=hcλ0\phi = \frac{hc}{\lambda_0}.

Find: The expression for electron de-Broglie wavelength.

First substitute the threshold condition into the photoelectric equation:

Kmax=hcλihcλ0=hc(1λi1λ0)K_{\max} = \frac{hc}{\lambda_i} - \frac{hc}{\lambda_0} = hc\left(\frac{1}{\lambda_i} - \frac{1}{\lambda_0}\right)

Now relate kinetic energy and momentum:

Kmax=p22mK_{\max} = \frac{p^2}{2m}

So,

p=2mKmaxp = \sqrt{2mK_{\max}}

Substitute for KmaxK_{\max}:

p=2mch(1λi1λ0)p = \sqrt{2mch\left(\frac{1}{\lambda_i} - \frac{1}{\lambda_0}\right)}

Then the de-Broglie wavelength becomes

λe=h2mch(1λi1λ0)\lambda_e = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mch\left(\frac{1}{\lambda_i} - \frac{1}{\lambda_0}\right)}}

This is algebraically the same as option A because

h(1λi1λ0)=hλihλ0h\left(\frac{1}{\lambda_i} - \frac{1}{\lambda_0}\right) = \frac{h}{\lambda_i} - \frac{h}{\lambda_0}

So option C shows the same derived form, but the solution identifies A as the correct option and option A is the equivalent expression presented in the list.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Using ϕ=hλ0\phi = \frac{h}{\lambda_0} instead of ϕ=hcλ0\phi = \frac{hc}{\lambda_0}. This is wrong because photon energy is E=hcλE = \frac{hc}{\lambda}. Always include the factor cc while converting threshold wavelength to work function.

  • Writing de-Broglie wavelength as λe=hmv\lambda_e = \frac{h}{mv} and then stopping without connecting vv to kinetic energy correctly. The required link is K=p22mK = \frac{p^2}{2m} or K=12mv2K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2, then substitute into λ=hp\lambda = \frac{h}{p}.

  • Missing the subtraction order in 1λi1λ0\frac{1}{\lambda_i} - \frac{1}{\lambda_0}. If the order is reversed, the kinetic energy becomes negative, which is unphysical. The incident photon energy must exceed the work function.

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