Lesson Plan

Lesson: Concept of Light Quantisation

Aim:
Lesson objectives
At the end of the lesson, student should be able to

Use the equation E = hf for a photon

Explain the meaning of work function and threshold frequency

Use Einsteins equation for photoelectric effect. hf = W +

Explain the meaning of stopping potential and use the equation eVs =

1 2
mv
2
1 2
mv
2

Assumed Prior Knowledge

Students should be familiar with

Understand thermionic emission of electrons from a hot cathode

Understand the quantum theory on light as being made up of photons

c = f where c is the velocity of light,

f is the frequency of light, and

is the wavelength of light

Activity Descriptions
Activity 1
Students use the equation E = ht to determine the energy of a photon.
-19
Students learn 1 eV = 1.60 x 10
J
Activity 2
Students learn the phenomenon of photoelectric effect
Students lean the meaning of work function and threshold frequency

2004 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.

Activity 3
1 2
Students use the Einsteins equation for photoelectric effect, hf = W + mv
2
For maximum kinetic energy, Kmax = hf Wo
Kmax = hf hfo
Activity 4
1 2
Students learn and understand the meaning of stopping potential and use the equation eVs = mv

Development of Lesson
No.
1.

Steps

Set induction

Strategy

Teacher shows video clip of elevator door

system that uses a non visible light beam
and a photocell as a safety measure.
Teacher asks students to explain the
effect of blocking the light beam.

2.

Activity

Teacher displays activities of the lesson

on the screen one by one, pausing in
between to give further explanation and
posing questions.
Students are invited to try out the worked
examples in the activities.

3.

Worksheet

Teacher distributes the printed

worksheets to students

Resources

LCD projector and

screen.
Laptop computer and
Courseware
LCD projector and
screen.
Laptop computer and
Courseware

Printed worksheet

Students are asked to answer the first two

questions.
Students are invited to present their
answers.
Teacher discusses the answer with the
students.
4.

Extension

Students are encouraged to surf the Net

for further information.
Students are asked to try out more
problems on the topic from books.

2004 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.

Suggested websites
Recommended
references.

Worksheet Answers
Question 1
(a) The energy of one photon, E = hf
=
=

hc

6.63 10 34 3.00 10 8
325 10 9
= 6.12 x 10-19 J

(b) Work function of the metal W = 2.70 eV

= 2.701.6 10-19 J
= 4.32 x 10-19 J
Since energy of one photon is greater than the work function of the metal, electrons will be ejected.
(c) Kmax = h f W
= 6.12 x 10-19 J 4.32 x 10-19 J
= 1.80 x 10-19 J
Question 2
The energy of one photon,

(6.63 10 34 )(3.00 10 8 )
E= =
= 3.98 10 19 J
9

500 10
hc

Power P = n energy of one photon

n=

1000
= 2.51 10 21 per metre square per second
19
3.98 10

Question 3
(a) Work function is the minimum amount of energy needed to free an electron from the surface of a
metal. Different metals have different work functions.
(b) The threshold wavelength is the longest wavelength of radiation that will cause an electron to be
ejected from a material. Any wavelength longer than this does not have enough energy.
(c) Stopping potential is the potential difference needed to bring an electron of maximum kinetic energy to
rest.

2004 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.

Question 4
(a) An electron emerging from the metal with zero kinetic energy absorbs
just enough energy to escape from the metal, so hf = W + 0
From the graph, the threshold frequency is the intercept on the x-axis,

1
2
mvmax
= 0.
2

where

Intercept on x-axis fo = 4.5 x 1014 Hz

W = h fo
= (6.63 x 10-34) (4.5 x 1014)
= 3.0 x 10-19 J
(b)

hc

1 2
= W + mvmax

2
34
8
(6.63 10 )(3.0 10 )
1 2
= 3.0 x 10 -19 + mvmax
9
2
300 10
1 2
mvmax = 3.6 x 10 -19 J
2
hf =

Question 5
(i) Work function W = h fo

= (6.63 x 10-34 )(5.5 x 1014) J

=

(6.63 x 10 -34 )(5.5 x 1014 )

eV
1.6 10 19

1 eV = 1.6 10-19 J

= 2.3 eV
(ii) Kmax = h f W
=

hc

6.6310 34 3.0 10 8
3.65 10 19
9
300 10

= 2.980 10 19 J

2004 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.

1 2
mvmax = 2.980 10 19
2
2 2.980 10 19
9.1 10 31
= 8.1 10 5 m s 1

vmax =

Question 6
Wavelength of blue light = 450 nm. The energy emitted in one second = 60 J and P = n h f
where n is the number of photons per second

n=

P
60 450 10 9
=
=1.4 10 20.
34
8
hc 6.63 10 3.00 10

This value is an over estimation because some of the energy is transformed into heat energy.
Question 7
Stopping Potential Vs /V

4.0
3.0

x
x

2.0
x

1.0
x
0.0

10

12

14

Frequency of incident
light f / (1014 Hz)

-1.0

-2.0

2004 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.

eVs = hf W
Vs =

h
W
f
e
e

The gradient of the graph is

h
e

and the intercept on the stopping potential axis is at

W
e

W
= -1.0 V
e

W =1.6 10-19 J

h
Vo
3.0 (1.0)
=
=
= 4.0 10 15
14
f (10.0 0) 10
e
h = 4.0 10 15 1.60 10-19 = 6.4 10-34 J s
Question 8

W 4.3 10 19
= 6.49 1014 Hz
=
34
h 6.63 10
c 3.0 108
Frequency of the incident light f = =
= 9.23 1014 Hz
9
325 10

The threshold frequency

fo =

The stopping potential

h( f f o)
e
6.63 10 34 (9.23 1014 6.49 1014 )
=
1.6 10 19
=1.14 V

Vs =

2004 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.