In a photoelectric-effect experiment it is observed that no current flows unless the wavelength is less than 540 nmnm . Part A What is the work function of this material

Φ = 36.84 × 10^(-20) J

Explanation:

In the photoelectric effect, the energy of the incoming photon is usually used in part to extract the photoelectron from the material (work function) and then the rest is converted into kinetic energy of the photoelectron which is given by the formula;

K_max = hf - Φ

where;

hf represents the energy of the incoming photon

h is the Planck's constant

f is the light frequency

Φ is the work function of the material

K_max is the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons.

From the question, we are told that no current flows unless the wavelength is less than 540 nm. This means that when the wavelength has this value, the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is zero i.e K_max = 0. Thus the energy of the incoming photons is just enough to extract the photoelectrons from the material.

Thus,

hf - Φ = 0

hf = Φ - - - (1)

We are given the wavelength as;

λ = 540 nm = 540 × 10^(-9) m

Now, let's find the frequency of the light by using the relationship between frequency and wavelength. The equation is;

f = c/λ

Where c is speed of light = 3 × 10^(8) m/s

f = (3 × 10^(8))/(540 × 10^(-9))

f = 5.56 × 10^(14) Hz

Thus, from equation 1,we can now find the work function;

Φ = hf

h is Planck's constant and has a value of 6.626 × 10^(-34) J.s

Thus;

Φ = 6.626 × 10^(-34) × 5.56 × 10^(14)

Φ = 36.84 × 10^(-20) J