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Date November 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19N.2.HL.TZ0.11
Level Higher level Paper Paper 2 Time zone 0 - no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 11 Adapted from N/A

Question

Monochromatic light of very low intensity is incident on a metal surface. The light causes the emission of electrons almost instantaneously. Explain how this observation

In an experiment to demonstrate the photoelectric effect, light of wavelength 480 nm is incident on a metal surface.

The graph shows the variation of the current I in the ammeter with the potential V of the cathode.

does not support the wave nature of light.

[2]
a(i).

does support the photon nature of light.

[2]
a(ii).

Calculate, in eV, the work function of the metal surface.

[3]
b(i).

The intensity of the light incident on the surface is reduced by half without changing the wavelength. Draw, on the graph, the variation of the current I with potential V after this change.

[2]
b(ii).

Markscheme

«low intensity light would» transfer energy to the electron at a low rate/slowly ✔
time would be required for the electron «to absorb the required energy» to escape/be emitted ✔

NOTE: OWTTE

a(i).

«in the photon theory of light» the electron interacts with a single photon ✔
and absorbs all the energy OR and can leave the metal immediately ✔

NOTE: Reference to photon-electron collision scores MP1

a(ii).

ϕ=hcλ-EK 

EK=1.5«eV» ✔

ϕ=«1.24×10-6480×10-9-1.5=»1.1«eV»

NOTE: Allow reading from the graph of Ek=1.4leading to an answer of 1.2 «eV».

b(i).

similar curve lower than original ✔

with same horizontal intercept ✔

b(ii).

Examiners report

[N/A]
a(i).
[N/A]
a(ii).
[N/A]
b(i).
[N/A]
b(ii).

Syllabus sections

Additional higher level (AHL) » Topic 12: Quantum and nuclear physics » 12.1 – The interaction of matter with radiation
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Additional higher level (AHL) » Topic 12: Quantum and nuclear physics
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