When light of a certain frequency is incident o... - JAMB Physics 2023 Question
When light of a certain frequency is incident on a metal surface, no photoelectrons are emitted. If the frequency of the light is increased, what happens to the stopping potential?
The stopping potential does not change.
The stopping potential decreases.
The stopping potential can either increase or decrease, depending on the intensity of the light.
The stopping potential increases.
"The stopping potential increases."
In the photoelectric effect, when light of a certain frequency (equal to or greater than the threshold frequency) is incident on a metal surface, photoelectrons are emitted. The stopping potential is the minimum potential that must be applied to stop these emitted photoelectrons.
If the frequency of the incident light is increased beyond the threshold frequency:
- The kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons increases.
- To stop photoelectrons with higher kinetic energy, a higher stopping potential is required.
Therefore, as the frequency of the incident light increases, the stopping potential also increases to counteract the increased kinetic energy of the photoelectrons.
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