Home
Class 12
PHYSICS
It is not possible for a photon to be co...

It is not possible for a photon to be completely absorbed by a free electron. Explain.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

The free electron in metal is bound by some restraining forces. Due to which it can not come out of its own. Some energy is to be spent in ejecting the free electron form the surface of metal which is equal to work function of metal. It means, some of the energy of the incident photon is spent in liberting the electron form the surface of metal and remaining energy of incident photon is used in imparting the K.E. to the emitted electron. As the maximum K.E. of the emitted photoelectron is less than the energy of incident photon, hence it is not possible for a photon to be completely absorbed by a free electron.
Doubtnut Promotions Banner Mobile Dark
|

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION AND MATTER

    PRADEEP|Exercise NCERT Exerciese question|1 Videos

  • DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION AND MATTER

    PRADEEP|Exercise Short answer|1 Videos

  • CURRENT ELECTRICITY

    PRADEEP|Exercise Problems for Practice (B)|2 Videos

  • ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION & ALTERNATING CURRENT

    PRADEEP|Exercise Multiple Choice Questions|1 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

It is possible for a photon to materialize into an electron and a position. The process is called pair production. (a) Using conservation of energy and momentum prove that pair production cannot occur in empty space. (b) Argue qualitatively that such pair production is possible near a nucleus.

In a phtoelectron effect energy of photon is directly proportional to the frequency and photons are totally absorbed by the electrons of metals then frequency and photons are totally absorbed by the electrons of metals then photoelectric current is:

Knowledge Check

  • A photon of energy 12.09 eV is completely absorbed by a hydrogen atom initially in the ground state. The quantum number of excited state is

    A
    4
    B
    5
    C
    3
    D
    2

    • Similar Questions

    Explore conceptually related problems

    'Good absorbers are good emitters''. Explain.

    An electron is in the ground state of a hydrogen atom. A photon is absorbed by the atom and the electron is excited to the n= 2 state. What is the energy in eV of the photon?

    " What is the energy of a photon that,when absorbed by a hydrogen atom,could cause an electronic transition from the "n=2" state to the "n=5" state? "

    Explain why conductors have large number of free electrons.

    A positive ion having just one electron ejects it if a photon of wavelength 228Å or less is absorbed by it. Identify the ion

    An atom absorbs a photon of wavelength 500nm and emits another photon of wavelength 700nm. Find the net energy absorbed by the atom in the process.

    A photon of energy 12.09 eV is completely absorbed by a hydrogen atom initially in the ground state. The quantum number of the excited state is nearly

    Home
    Profile