The threshold frequency,
, corresponds to the minimum frequency of light required to eject electrons from the surface of a metal, a phenomenon known as the photoelectric effect.
The work function, represented by ϕ, is the minimum energy needed to remove an electron from the surface of the metal.
The energy of a photon is given by the equation
, where:
is the energy of the photon,
is Planck's constant (
h=6.626×10−34J⋅s ), and ν is the frequency of the photon. To find the threshold frequency for a metal with a work function of
6.63eV , we must first express the work function in joules (since Planck's constant is in joules per second).
To convert electron volts to joules, use the conversion factor
1eV=1.602×10−19J :
ϕ=6.63eV×1.602×10−19eVJ=1.061×10−18J The energy of the photon at the threshold frequency is equal to the work function:
Solve for
:
ν0=hϕ=6.626×10−34J⋅s1.061×10−18J=1.6×1015Hz Thus, the correct answer is: Option C
1.6×1015Hz