Question:medium

Light of frequency two times the threshold frequency is incident on photosensitive material. If the incident frequency is made 1/3 rd and intensity is doubled, then the photoelectric current will

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Photoelectric current depends on the intensity of light ONLY IF the incident frequency is above the threshold frequency. If $\nu < \nu_0$, the current is always zero, no matter how intense the light is.
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
  • increase
  • decrease
  • be zero
  • be halved
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the question.
Light of frequency twice the threshold falls on a metal and kicks out electrons. Then we drop the frequency to one third of that and double the brightness (intensity). We must say what happens to the current.

Step 2: The one rule that decides everything.
Electrons come out only if the light frequency is at least the threshold frequency $\nu_0$. Below threshold, nothing comes out, no matter how bright the light is.

Step 3: Note the starting frequency.
At first the frequency is $\nu = 2\nu_0$, which is above $\nu_0$, so electrons do come out. Fine so far.

Step 4: Find the new frequency.
The new frequency is one third of $2\nu_0$, that is $\nu' = \frac{1}{3}(2\nu_0) = \frac{2}{3}\nu_0$.

Step 5: Compare with threshold.
Since $\frac{2}{3}\nu_0$ is less than $\nu_0$, the light is now below threshold.

Step 6: Decide the current.
Below threshold no electrons are ejected, so doubling the intensity does nothing. The photoelectric current becomes zero, which is option (C).
\[ \boxed{\text{Current} = 0} \]
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