Two monatomic gases, A and B

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Problem

Two monatomic gases, A and B, are studied separately in identical photoelectric cells. For each gas, the threshold (minimum) frequency needed to remove an electron from a ground-state atom is measured. • Gas A: fA=1.10×1015 Hzf_A = 1.10\times10^{15}\,\text{Hz} • Gas B: fB=9.0×1014 Hzf_B = 9.0\times10^{14}\,\text{Hz} Take h=6.63×10−34 J sh = 6.63\times10^{-34}\,\text{J\,s} and 1 eV=1.60×10−19 J1\,\text{eV}=1.60\times10^{-19}\,\text{J}. (a) Determine the binding energy of a ground-state atom of gas A in electron-volts. (b) Determine the binding energy of a ground-state atom of gas B in electron-volts. (c) Compute the ratio EA/EBE_A/E_B of the binding energies obtained in parts (a) and (b). (d) Briefly explain, without additional calculation, how the difference in threshold frequencies reflects differences in the electronic structure of the two gases.

Related theory

Browse the problem library