Question:medium

Radiation of wavelength \( \lambda \) is incident on a photocell. The fastest emitted electron has speed \( v \). If the wavelength is changed to \( \frac{3\lambda}{4} \), then the speed of the fastest emitted electron will be

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When scaling wavelengths in photoelectric effect problems, remember that because of the subtracting work function term (\( \phi \)), the kinetic energy (and thus the squared speed) always scales more than the inverse of the wavelength. Thus, when the wavelength is scaled by \( \frac{3}{4} \) (energy scaled by \( \frac{4}{3} \)), the speed must scale by more than \( \sqrt{\frac{4}{3}} \).
Updated On: May 28, 2026
  • \( \text{greater than } v\sqrt{\frac{4}{3}} \)
  • \( \text{less than } v\sqrt{\frac{4}{3}} \)
  • \( \text{equal to } v\sqrt{\frac{4}{3}} \)
  • \( \text{equal to } v\sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} \)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Einstein's photoelectric equation relates the energy of incident photons to the work function of the material and the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons.
The energy of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength.
When the wavelength decreases, the photon energy increases, resulting in higher maximum kinetic energy and higher speed of electrons.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Photoelectric equation: \[\frac{hc}{\lambda} = \phi + K_{max} = \phi + \frac{1}{2}mv^2\]
where \(\phi\) is the work function.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Case 1: \[\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{hc}{\lambda} - \phi \quad \dots (1)\]
Case 2: Wavelength becomes \(\lambda' = \frac{3\lambda}{4}\). The new speed is \(v'\).
\[\frac{1}{2}m(v')^2 = \frac{hc}{3\lambda/4} - \phi = \frac{4}{3} \left(\frac{hc}{\lambda}\right) - \phi \quad \dots (2)\]
From (1), \(\frac{hc}{\lambda} = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 + \phi\). Substitute this into (2):
\[\frac{1}{2}m(v')^2 = \frac{4}{3} \left(\frac{1}{2}mv^2 + \phi\right) - \phi\]
\[\frac{1}{2}m(v')^2 = \frac{4}{3} \left(\frac{1}{2}mv^2\right) + \frac{4}{3}\phi - \phi\]
\[\frac{1}{2}m(v')^2 = \frac{4}{3} \left(\frac{1}{2}mv^2\right) + \frac{1}{3}\phi\]
Dividing by \(\frac{1}{2}m\):
\[(v')^2 = \frac{4}{3}v^2 + \frac{2\phi}{3m}\]
Since \(\phi>0\), it follows that:
\[(v')^2>\frac{4}{3}v^2\]
\[v'>\sqrt{\frac{4}{3}}v\]
Therefore, the new speed is greater than \(v\sqrt{4/3}\). This matches option (A).
Step 4: Final Answer:
Due to the presence of the work function, the increase in kinetic energy is more than proportional to the increase in photon energy, making the final speed \(v'>v\sqrt{4/3}\).
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