Question:medium

The wavelength of incident light falling on a photosensitive surface is changed from 2000 Å to 2100 Å. The corresponding change in stopping potential is

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$hc/e = 12400$ eV·Å is a useful constant.
Updated On: May 24, 2026
  • 0.03 V
  • 0.3 V
  • 3 V
  • 3.3 V
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To solve the problem of finding the change in stopping potential when the wavelength of light incident on a photosensitive material is changed, we can use the photoelectric equation:

\[ K.E. = h \nu - \phi \]

where \( K.E. \) is the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons, \( h \) is Planck's constant, \( \nu \) is the frequency of the incident light, and \( \phi \) is the work function of the material.

The stopping potential \( V_0 \) is given by:

\[ K.E. = eV_0 \]

The frequency \( \nu \) of the light can be related to its wavelength \( \lambda \) using the equation:

\[ \nu = \frac{c}{\lambda} \]

Where \( c \) is the speed of light. Substituting this into the photoelectric equation gives:

\[ eV_0 = h \left(\frac{c}{\lambda}\right) - \phi \]

The change in stopping potential when the wavelength changes from \( \lambda_1 = 2000 Å \) to \( \lambda_2 = 2100 Å \) can be calculated as follows:

\[ \Delta V_0 = V_0(\lambda_2) - V_0(\lambda_1) \]

Expressing \( V_0 \) in terms of wavelengths:

\[ e\Delta V_0 = h \left(\frac{c}{\lambda_2} - \frac{c}{\lambda_1}\right) \]

Rearranging gives:

\[ \Delta V_0 = \frac{hc}{e} \left(\frac{1}{\lambda_2} - \frac{1}{\lambda_1}\right) \]

Assuming the known constants:

  • Planck's constant \( h = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \text{ J}\cdot\text{s}\)
  • Speed of light \( c = 3 \times 10^{8} \text{ m/s}\)
  • Electron charge \( e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}\)

Converting the wavelengths from angstroms to meters:

  • \( \lambda_1 = 2000 \text{ Å} = 2000 \times 10^{-10} \text{ m}\)
  • \( \lambda_2 = 2100 \text{ Å} = 2100 \times 10^{-10} \text{ m}\)

Substitute these values into the equation:

\[ \Delta V_0 = \left(\frac{6.626 \times 10^{-34} \times 3 \times 10^{8}}{1.6 \times 10^{-19}}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2100 \times 10^{-10}} - \frac{1}{2000 \times 10^{-10}}\right) \]
\[ \Delta V_0 = \left(1.239 \times 10^{-6}\right) \left(\frac{1}{2.1 \times 10^{-7}} - \frac{1}{2.0 \times 10^{-7}}\right) \]

Calculate the difference in frquency terms:

\[ \Delta V_0 = (1.239 \times 10^{-6}) \left(\frac{0.1}{4.2} \times 10^{7}\right) \]
\[ \Delta V_0 = 1.239 \times 10^{-6} \times 4.76 \times 10^{6} \]
\[ \Delta V_0 = 0.3 V \]

Therefore, the change in stopping potential is 0.3 V, which confirms the correct answer as 0.3 V.

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