Photoelectric Effect MCQ Quiz

Reviewed by Matt Balanda
Matt Balanda, BS (Aerospace Engineering) |
Science Teacher
Review Board Member
Matt Balanda, a Calvary Chapel Christian School leader with a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics, transitioned from Aerospace Engineering to Education with a Master's from California Baptist University. As the High School Vice-Principal and Physics teacher, he nurtures students' love of learning and faith, creating an enriching and transformational educational experience.
, BS (Aerospace Engineering)
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Photoelectric Effect MCQ Quiz - Quiz


The photoelectric effect is an interesting topic in Physics. How well do you understand this concept? Here is a short and simple 'Photoelectric Effect MCQ Quiz' that consists of a set of questions based on the same topic. Try this quiz and you will get to check your understanding of the photoelectric effect. So, do you feel ready to take this test? This might also help you in revising your concepts. So give it a try and see how much score you can make.


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    What is the term used to refer to the minimum energy required for a photoelectron to escape from a metal plate in a photocell?

    • A.

      Stopping voltage

    • B.

      Planck’s constant

    • C.

      Threshold wavelength

    • D.

      Work function

    Correct Answer
    C. Threshold wavelength
  • 2. 

    Name the type of radiation that will be most effective for the emission of electrons from a metallic surface. 

    • A.

      Ultraviolet rays

    • B.

      X-rays

    • C.

      Infrared

    • D.

      Microwaves

    Correct Answer
    A. Ultraviolet rays
    Explanation
    Ultraviolet rays are the most effective radiations for the emission of electrons from a metallic surface. This is because ultraviolet rays have higher energy compared to infrared and microwaves, and they can cause the electrons in the metal to gain enough energy to overcome the surface barrier and be emitted. X-rays also have high energy, but ultraviolet rays are specifically mentioned in the question, so they are the correct answer.

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  • 3. 

    Threshold frequency is to work function as hertz is to which one of the following?

    • A.

      Coulomb

    • B.

      Joule

    • C.

      Newton

    • D.

      Watt

    Correct Answer
    B. Joule
    Explanation
    Threshold frequency is the minimum frequency of light required to eject an electron from a metal surface. Similarly, the work function is the minimum energy required to remove an electron from a metal surface. Hertz is a unit of frequency, while Joule is a unit of energy. Therefore, the relationship between hertz and Joule is similar to the relationship between threshold frequency and work function.

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  • 4. 

    The variable that varies directly with the amount of current produced by photoelectrons

    • A.

      The intensity of the incident light

    • B.

      The frequency of the incident light

    • C.

      The wavelength of the incident light

    • D.

      The work function of the metal surface

    Correct Answer
    B. The frequency of the incident light
    Explanation
    The frequency of the incident light is the correct answer because the photoelectric effect states that the energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency. When light with a higher frequency is incident on a metal surface, it provides photons with higher energy. This energy is transferred to the electrons in the metal, causing them to be emitted as photoelectrons. Therefore, the amount of current produced by photoelectrons is directly related to the frequency of the incident light.

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  • 5. 

    The threshold frequency has a value of X.  If the frequency of the incident light increases from 2X to 4X, then the resulting current of photoelectrons

    • A.

      Is doubled

    • B.

      Is increased by a factor or 3

    • C.

      Reduced by half

    • D.

      Remains the same

    Correct Answer
    B. Is increased by a factor or 3
    Explanation
    When the frequency of the incident light increases from 2X to 4X, the energy of the photons also increases. This means that the photons have enough energy to overcome the threshold frequency and release photoelectrons. As a result, more photoelectrons are emitted, leading to an increased current. Since the frequency has doubled, the energy of the photons has also doubled, and therefore the resulting current of photoelectrons is increased by a factor of 3.

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  • 6. 

     When electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 350 nm falls on a metal, the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons is 1.20 eV.  What is the work function of the metal?

    • A.

      1.3 eV

    • B.

      2.4 eV

    • C.

      5.4 eV

    • D.

      5.7 eV

    Correct Answer
    B. 2.4 eV
    Explanation
    The work function of a metal is the minimum amount of energy required to remove an electron from the metal's surface. The maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons is equal to the energy of the incident photons minus the work function. In this case, the maximum kinetic energy is given as 1.20 eV. Therefore, the work function of the metal can be calculated by subtracting the maximum kinetic energy from the energy of the incident photons, which is equivalent to the energy of a photon with a wavelength of 350 nm. The answer is 2.4 eV.

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  • 7. 

    Calculate the wavelength of a photon with 3.2 × 10–19 J of energy.

    • A.

      210 nm

    • B.

      420 nm

    • C.

      530 nm

    • D.

      620 nm

    Correct Answer
    A. 210 nm
    Explanation
    The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its wavelength. The equation E = hc/λ relates energy (E) to Planck's constant (h), the speed of light (c), and wavelength (λ). By rearranging the equation to solve for wavelength, we get λ = hc/E. Plugging in the values given, we find λ = (6.63 x 10^-34 J s)(3.00 x 10^8 m/s)/(3.2 x 10^-19 J) ≈ 2.07 x 10^-7 m = 207 nm. Therefore, the correct answer is 210 nm.

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  • 8. 

    The graph below shows the relationship between the frequency of radiation incident on a photosensitive surface and the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons What does point P represent?  

    • A.

      Fundamental frequency

    • B.

      Photoelectron frequency

    • C.

      Photon escape frequency

    • D.

      Threshold frequency

    Correct Answer
    D. Threshold frequency
    Explanation
    Point P on the graph represents the threshold frequency. This is the minimum frequency of radiation required to emit photoelectrons from a photosensitive surface. Below this frequency, no photoelectrons are emitted regardless of the intensity of the radiation. At and above the threshold frequency, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons increases with increasing frequency of radiation.

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  • 9. 

    The work function of a particular photo-emissive material is 4.0 eV.  If photons with 16 eV of energy are incident on the material, what would be the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectrons?

    • A.

      0.25 eV

    • B.

      4.0 eV

    • C.

      12 eV

    • D.

      20. eV

    Correct Answer
    C. 12 eV
    Explanation
    When photons with energy equal to or greater than the work function of a material are incident on the material, photoelectrons are emitted. The maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectrons can be calculated by subtracting the work function from the energy of the incident photons. In this case, the energy of the incident photons is 16 eV and the work function is 4.0 eV. Therefore, the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectrons would be 16 eV - 4.0 eV = 12 eV.

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  • 10. 

    When a photon collides with an electron, its wavelength will ______. 

    • A.

      Decrease

    • B.

      Increase

    • C.

      Remain unchanged

    • D.

      None of the above

    Correct Answer
    B. Increase
    Explanation
    When a photon collides with an electron, its wavelength will increase. This is because the collision transfers energy to the electron, causing it to move to a higher energy level or even be ejected from the atom. According to the wave-particle duality of light, an increase in energy corresponds to a decrease in wavelength. Therefore, when a photon transfers energy to an electron, the wavelength of the photon increases.

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Matt Balanda |BS (Aerospace Engineering) |
Science Teacher
Matt Balanda, a Calvary Chapel Christian School leader with a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics, transitioned from Aerospace Engineering to Education with a Master's from California Baptist University. As the High School Vice-Principal and Physics teacher, he nurtures students' love of learning and faith, creating an enriching and transformational educational experience.

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