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The threshold wavelength of sodium is 6800 A. Its work function is ______ ×10⁻¹⁹ J. (h = 6.625×10⁻³⁴ J s; c = 3×10⁸ m s⁻¹)

Asked in GUJCET 2016 · Work function and the photoelectric equation

Answer: (3) 2.9

Step-by-step solution

Given: λ₀ = 6800 A = 6.8×10⁻⁷ m, h = 6.625×10⁻³⁴ J s, c = 3×10⁸ m s⁻¹.

Idea: at the threshold wavelength a photon has just enough energy to free an electron, so φ₀ = (hc)/(λ₀).

φ₀ = (6.625×10⁻³⁴×3×10⁸)/(6.8×10⁻⁷) = (1.9875×10⁻²⁵)/(6.8×10⁻⁷)

φ₀ = 2.92×10⁻¹⁹ J

So the work function is about 2.9×10⁻¹⁹ J: the blank is 2.9.

Why the other options are wrong

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