Question

On a photosensitive surface, if the intensity of incident radiation is increased, the stopping potential

• A. first increases and then decreases
• B. decreases
• C. increases
• D. remains unchanged

Hint:

Stopping potential is a measure of maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons. It depends on frequency of light, not intensity. Intensity changes the saturation current, not the stopping potential.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall Einstein's equation.
The stopping potential follows $eV_0 = h\nu - \phi$. So $V_0$ depends on the frequency and the work function.

Step 2: See what intensity does.
Intensity sets only how many photons arrive each second, not the energy of each photon.

Step 3: Effect on stopping potential.
Since the maximum electron energy depends on frequency alone, raising intensity does not change $V_0$.

Step 4: Conclude.
The stopping potential stays the same. \[ \boxed{\text{Remains unchanged}} \]