Q.How much positive and negative charge is there in a cup of water? (Assume the mass of one cup of water to be 250g.)
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Photoelectric Effect
The Photoelectric Effect: When Light Knocks Electrons Loose
Imagine you're throwing tennis balls at a wall covered in loose pebbles. If you throw hard enough, a pebble might get knocked off. That's the basic picture — but the photoelectric effect is the quantum version of this, and it completely shattered classical physics.
The Intuition
Light is made of tiny packets of energy called photons. Each photon carries a specific amount of energy, determined by its colour (frequency). When a photon hits a metal surface, it can transfer its energy to an electron inside the metal. If that energy is enough, the electron breaks free and flies out.
Think of electrons in a metal like people in a room with a high window. To escape, they need enough energy to reach the window sill. A photon is like a boost — but only if it gives enough energy in one shot. No amount of weak boosts (dim light) will work if each individual boost is too small.
The Precise Statement
Ephoton=hf=ϕ+Kmax
Where:
- Ephoton=hf is the energy of a photon (Planck's constant h=6.63×10−34 J⋅s, f is frequency)
- ϕ is the work function — the minimum energy needed to remove an electron from that metal
- Kmax is the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electron
What Classical Physics Got Wrong
Before Einstein (1905), physicists thought light was a continuous wave. They expected:
- Brighter light → more energy per electron → faster electrons
- Any colour would eventually eject electrons if you waited long enough
But experiments showed the opposite:
| Observation | Classical Prediction | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|
| Effect of intensity | Brighter light → faster electrons | Brighter light → more electrons, same speed |
| Threshold frequency | None — any light works eventually | Below a certain frequency, no electrons no matter how bright |
| Time delay | Electrons need time to absorb energy | Electrons appear instantly (within 10−9 s) |
The Key Insight
Einstein said: light behaves like a stream of particles (photons), each with energy hf. One photon interacts with one electron. If hf<ϕ, the electron cannot escape — period. If hf>ϕ, the excess energy becomes kinetic energy:
Kmax=hf−ϕ
This is why:
- Increasing intensity (more photons) ejects more electrons, but each electron still gets the same energy per photon — so their speed doesn't change.
- Below threshold frequency, even a trillion photons per second can't help — each one is too weak individually.
The photoelectric effect proved that light is quantized — it comes in discrete packets. This was the birth of quantum mechanics. Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize for this, not for relativity.
A Worked Example
Problem: A metal has work function ϕ=2.0 eV. Light of frequency f=6.0×1014 Hz shines on it. Find the maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons. (h=4.14×10−15 eV⋅s)
Step 1: Photon energy
E=hf=(4.14×10−15)(6.0×1014)=2.48 eV …
Why this formula?
Photoelectric Effect: Why the Key Formulas Hold
The photoelectric effect is a cornerstone of quantum physics. It showed that light behaves as particles (photons) , not just waves. Let's build the reasoning step-by-step.
1. The Core Idea: Energy Conservation
When a photon hits a metal surface, it transfers all its energy to a single electron inside the metal.
- The photon's energy is E=hf, where h is Planck's constant and f is the frequency of light.
- The electron needs a minimum energy to escape the metal — this is called the work function, ϕ.
Why only one electron?
Einstein proposed that light is quantized into discrete packets (photons). A single photon cannot split its energy among multiple electrons — it interacts with one electron at a time.
2. The Photoelectric Equation
If the photon's energy is greater than the work function, the excess energy becomes the electron's kinetic energy after escape:
hf=ϕ+Kmax
Where:
- hf = energy of incident photon
- ϕ = work function (minimum energy to remove electron)
- Kmax = maximum kinetic energy of ejected electron
Why "maximum" kinetic energy?
- Electrons inside the metal have different binding energies.
- Some electrons are near the surface (loosely bound) → get maximum K.
- Others are deeper → lose energy in collisions before escaping → lower K.
3. The Stopping Potential Connection
We measure Kmax using a stopping potential Vs:
Kmax=eVs
Where e is the electron charge. This is because:
- An electric field opposing the electron's motion does work eVs to stop it.
- At the stopping potential, the electron's kinetic energy is exactly balanced by the electric potential energy.
Combining:
hf=ϕ+eVs
This is the Einstein photoelectric equation in its most testable form.
4. Why the Threshold Frequency Exists
From the equation:
hf=ϕ+eVs
If f is too low, hf<ϕ. Then:
- The photon cannot supply enough energy to overcome the work function.
- No electron is ejected, regardless of light intensity.
The threshold frequency f0 is when Kmax=0:
hf0=ϕ⇒f0=hϕ
Why intensity doesn't matter for ejection?
- Intensity = number of photons per second.
- Each photon still has energy hf. If hf<ϕ, even a billion photons won't eject an electron — each photon is individually too weak.
5. Why Kinetic Energy Depends on Frequency, Not Intensity
From Kmax=hf−ϕ:
- Frequency f directly determines Kmax.
- Intensity only affects the number of electrons ejected (more photons → more electrons), not their individual energy.
This was the key experimental contradiction with classical wave theory:
- Classical: Higher intensity = bigger wave amplitude = more energy to electrons.
- Reality: Higher frequency = more energy per electron; intensity only changes current.
6. Summary of Key Relationships …
Water is electrically neutral, but each molecule packs equal amounts of positive (protons) and negative (electrons) charge. We count one kind; the other is equal in magnitude.
- Moles of water. Molar mass of H2O=18g/mol, so 250g is
n=18250=13.9mol.
- Molecules. N=nNA=13.9×6.022×1023=8.36×1024.
- Protons (or electrons) per molecule. H2O has 2(1)+8=10 of each.
- Total positive charge. …
Counting the 10 protons (and 10 electrons) in every water molecule, a 250g cup contains about 1.34×107C of positive charge and an equal magnitude of negative charge — they cancel, which is why water is neutral.
This question is about the charge that matter contains, not any net charge it carries. Every neutral molecule holds equal positive and negative charge; the task is to work out how large each of those is for a cup of water.
Step 1 — Number of moles.
The molar mass of water is M=2(1)+16=18g/mol, so
n=Mm=18250=13.9mol.
Step 2 — Number of molecules.
N=nNA=13.9×(6.022×1023)=8.36×1024 molecules.
Step 3 — Charges per molecule.
Each H2O has 2 hydrogen atoms (1 proton each) and 1 oxygen atom (8 protons), i.e. 10 protons and, being neutral, 10 electrons.
Step 4 — Total positive charge.
Total protons =10N=8.36×1025, so …
Method: Atomic Charge Counting via Avogadro's Number
This method uses the fact that every atom in water is electrically neutral overall, but contains equal amounts of positive charge (in protons) and negative charge (in electrons). We count the total number of each type of charge carrier.
Step 1: Find the number of water molecules
- Molar mass of water (H2O): 2×1+16=18 g/mol
- Number of moles in 250 g of water: n=18250≈13.89 mol
- Using Avogadro's number (NA=6.022×1023 mol−1): Nmolecules=n×NA≈13.89×6.022×1023≈8.36×1024 molecules
Step 2: Count protons and electrons per molecule
Each water molecule has:
- 10 electrons (8 from oxygen + 1 from each hydrogen)
- 10 protons (8 from oxygen + 1 from each hydrogen)
So total number of protons = total number of electrons:
Nprotons=Nelectrons=10×8.36×1024=8.36×1025
Step 3: Compute the total charge
Charge of one proton: +e=+1.602×10−19 C …
Common Mistakes: Charge in a Cup of Water
Students often make predictable errors on this question. Here are the most common ones — and how to avoid each.
1. Forgetting that water is electrically neutral
Mistake:
Students calculate only the number of electrons or protons, then report that as the net charge.
Why it’s wrong:
A cup of water has equal numbers of protons and electrons. The net charge is zero. The question asks for the amount of positive and negative charge separately, not the net charge.
How to avoid:
Always start by stating: “Water is neutral — total positive charge equals total negative charge.” Then calculate the magnitude of one type.
2. Using the wrong molecular formula or atomic numbers
Mistake:
Treating water as H2O but forgetting that:
- Hydrogen has 1 proton (atomic number Z=1)
- Oxygen has 8 protons (Z=8)
So total protons per water molecule = 1+1+8=10.
How to avoid:
Write it down explicitly:
Protons per H2O=2×1+1×8=10
3. Confusing mass with number of molecules
Mistake:
Using 250g directly without converting to moles.
How to avoid:
Always use the molar mass:
- Molar mass of water = 18g/mol
- Number of moles = 18250≈13.89mol
- Number of molecules = 13.89×6.022×1023
4. Using the wrong value for elementary charge
Mistake:
Using e=1.6×10−19C but forgetting that proton charge is +e and electron charge is −e.
How to avoid:
Write clearly:
- Charge of one proton = +1.6×10−19C
- Charge of one electron = −1.6×10−19C
5. Reporting the answer with wrong sign or units …
Showing the 12 most recent of 40 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.When a metal surface is illuminated with lights of wavelengths λ and 2λ separately, the stopping potentials are V and 3V respectively. Then the threshold wavelength of that metal surface is (A) 34λ (B) 4λ (C) 6λ (D) 38λ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Einstein's photoelectric equation at two different wavelengths (and their given stopping potentials) as simultaneous equations lets us solve for the work function, and hence the threshold wavelength. Answer: 4λ.
Concept and Intuition
Einstein's photoelectric equation, eVs=λhc−ϕ, relates the stopping potential to the photon energy and the material's work function ϕ. Since ϕ is a fixed property of the metal, two different (wavelength, stopping potential) pairs give two equations that can be solved simultaneously for ϕ, and then the threshold wavelength follows from ϕ=hc/λ0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- For wavelength λ: eV=λhc−ϕ … (i)
- For wavelength 2λ: e3V=2λhc−ϕ … (ii)
- From (i): ϕ=λhc−eV. Substitute into (ii): 3eV=2λhc−λhc+eV. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.Two identical photo cathodes receive light of frequencies f1 and f2. If the velocity of photo electrons (of mass m) coming out are respectively V1 & V2, then (A) V12−V22=m2h(f1−f2) (B) V1+V2=[m2h(f1+f2)]1/2 (C) V12+V22=m2h(f1+f2) (D) V1−V2=[m2h(f1−f2)]1/2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Writing Einstein's photoelectric equation for each frequency and subtracting to cancel the common work function directly gives the relation among V1,V2,f1,f2. Answer: (A).
Concept and Intuition
Einstein's photoelectric equation states the maximum kinetic energy of an emitted photoelectron is KEmax=hf−ϕ0, where ϕ0 is the cathode's work function. Since both cathodes are identical, ϕ0 is the same for both — so subtracting the two equations eliminates the unknown work function entirely, leaving a clean relation between the observed velocities and frequencies.
Step-by-Step Solution
- For frequency f1: 21mV12=hf1−ϕ0.
- For frequency f2: 21mV22=hf2−ϕ0.
- Subtract (2) from (1): 21m(V12−V22)=h(f1−f2).
- Multiply both sides by 2/m: V12−V22=m2h(f1−f2). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The kinetic energy of released electron in photo electric effect depends on (A) Intensity of incidenting photons (B) Frequency of incidenting photons (C) Area of photocell (D) Time
›Reveal solutionSolution
Einstein's photoelectric equation shows KE of ejected electrons depends on photon frequency, not intensity. Answer: frequency of incident photons.
Concept and Intuition
The photoelectric effect was the key evidence for the particle (photon) nature of light. Each photon interacts with one electron, transferring its full energy hν; some of that energy overcomes the work function ϕ of the metal, and the rest becomes the electron's kinetic energy: KEmax=hν−ϕ. Since this equation has no dependence on how many photons arrive per second (intensity), increasing intensity only increases the number of ejected electrons (photocurrent), not their individual kinetic energy. Only increasing the frequency increases each photon's energy and hence the ejected electron's energy.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Einstein's photoelectric equation: KEmax=hν−ϕ, where ϕ is the material's work function (fixed for a given metal).
- KEmax depends explicitly and only on ν (and the fixed ϕ) — no intensity, area, or time term appears. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.Sodium and Copper have work functions 2.3 eV and 4.5 eV respectively. Then the ratio of their threshold wavelengths is nearly (A) 1:2 (B) 4:1 (C) 2:1 (D) 1:4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Threshold wavelength ∝1/ϕ, so the ratio of Na's to Cu's threshold wavelength is ϕCu/ϕNa=4.5/2.3≈2:1.
Concept and Intuition
The photoelectric threshold condition is hνth=ϕ, i.e. λthhc=ϕ, giving λth=ϕhc. A metal with a smaller work function has a longer threshold wavelength (easier to eject electrons, so even lower-energy/longer-wavelength photons suffice). Sodium has the smaller work function of the two, so it should have the longer threshold wavelength.
Step-by-Step Solution
- λth,Na=ϕNahc, λth,Cu=ϕCuhc.
- Ratio: λth,Cuλth,Na=ϕNaϕCu=2.34.5=1.956. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.In photo electric experiment, if the wavelength of incident light on the metal changes from 200 nm to 300 nm. The decrease in stopping potential is about (ehc=1240 eV-nm) (A) 2.1 V (B) 4.2 V (C) 3.1 V (D) 6.2 V
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since work function cancels when comparing two stopping potentials for the same metal, the drop in stopping potential is just ehc(λ11−λ21)≈2.1 V.
Concept and Intuition
Einstein's photoelectric equation: eVs=λhc−ϕ0, where ϕ0 is the (fixed) work function of the metal. Since the same metal is used for both wavelengths, ϕ0 is common and cancels out when we take the difference of stopping potentials at two wavelengths — leaving only the photon energy difference.
Step-by-Step Solution
- At λ1=200 nm: eVs1=λ1hc−ϕ0.
- At λ2=300 nm: eVs2=λ2hc−ϕ0.
- Decrease in stopping potential: e(Vs1−Vs2)=hc(λ11−λ21). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If the threshold wavelength of light for photoelectric emission to take place from a metal surface is 6250 Å, then the work function of the metal is (Planck's constant = 6.6×10−34 Js) (A) 3.98 eV (B) 1.98 eV (C) 2.98 eV (D) 4.98 eV
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the relation between threshold wavelength and work function in the photoelectric effect. The work function comes out to 1.98 eV.
Concept and Intuition
The threshold wavelength is the longest wavelength (lowest photon energy) that can just barely eject an electron from the metal, with zero kinetic energy left over. At exactly this wavelength, the entire photon energy hc/λ0 equals the work function ϕ — the minimum energy needed to free an electron from the metal surface.
Step-by-Step Solution
- At threshold: ϕ=λ0hc.
- Substitute values: h=6.6×10−34 Js, c=3×108 m/s, λ0=6250 A˚=6250×10−10 m=6.25×10−7 m. ϕ=6.25×10−7(6.6×10−34)(3×108)=6.25×10−71.98×10−25=3.168×10−19 J …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.In a photoelectric experiment, when the wavelength of light incident on a metal is λ, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectron is E. When the wavelength of incident light is 3λ, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectron becomes 4E. The work function of the metal is (A) λhc (B) λ3hc (C) 2λhc (D) 3λhc
›Reveal solutionSolution
Setting up Einstein's photoelectric equation for two different wavelengths and solving the resulting pair of linear equations gives the work function as 3λhc.
Concept and Intuition
Einstein's photoelectric equation, KEmax=λhc−ϕ, is linear in λ1 and ϕ. Given two (wavelength, KE) pairs, we get two equations in two unknowns (E appears as a scale, ϕ is what we want) which we can solve algebraically.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First case: λhc−ϕ=E → so λhc=E+ϕ.
- Second case (wavelength λ/3): λ/3hc−ϕ=4E⇒λ3hc−ϕ=4E.
- Substitute λhc=E+ϕ into the second equation: 3(E+ϕ)−ϕ=4E⇒3E+2ϕ=4E⇒ϕ=2E. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.When photons of energy 8×10−19 J incident on a photosensitive material, the de Broglie wavelength of the photoelectrons emitted with maximum kinetic energy is 10 Å. The work function of the photosensitive material is nearly (A) 3.5 eV (B) 2.5 eV (C) 2.0 eV (D) 1.5 eV
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Einstein's photoelectric equation combined with the de Broglie relation; the photon energy is 5 eV, the photoelectron's kinetic energy (from its de Broglie wavelength) is about 1.5 eV, so the work function is 3.5 eV.
Concept and Intuition
Einstein's photoelectric equation, Ephoton=ϕ+KEmax, says the absorbed photon's energy splits between freeing the electron (the work function ϕ) and giving it kinetic energy. Here the electron's maximum kinetic energy isn't given directly — instead its de Broglie wavelength is, so we must first recover KEmax from λ=h/p and KE=p2/2m, then use the photoelectric equation to isolate ϕ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Photon energy in eV: E=1.6×10−198×10−19=5eV.
- Momentum of the photoelectron from its de Broglie wavelength: p=λh=10×10−106.63×10−34=6.63×10−25kgm/s. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.When a metal surface is illuminated by a light of wavelength λ, the stopping potential is V. If the same surface is illuminated by light of wavelength 2λ, the stopping potential is 4V, the threshold wavelength is (A) λ (B) 2λ (C) 3λ (D) 2λ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Applying Einstein's photoelectric equation at two wavelengths and eliminating the work function gives threshold wavelength λ0=3λ.
Concept and Intuition
The stopping potential V measures the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons: eV=λhc−ϕ, where ϕ=λ0hc is the work function expressed via the threshold wavelength λ0. Given the stopping potential at two different wavelengths, we get two linear equations in the two unknowns eV and λ0hc (treating λhc as known), which can be solved simultaneously.
Step-by-Step Solution
- At wavelength λ: eV=λhc−λ0hc ... (1)
- At wavelength 2λ: e⋅4V=2λhc−λ0hc ... (2)
- Subtract (2) from (1): eV−4eV=λhc−2λhc, i.e. 43eV=2λhc, so eV=32⋅λhc. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.The work function of a photosensitive metal surface is 6.4×10−19 J. The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons when electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 1240 Å incidents on the metal surface is nearly (A) 5 eV (B) 6 eV (C) 3 eV (D) 4 eV
›Reveal solutionSolution
Converting the work function to eV and the photon energy via E=1240/λ(nm) gives a maximum photoelectron kinetic energy of 6 eV.
Concept and Intuition
Einstein's photoelectric equation states KEmax=Ephoton−ϕ, where ϕ is the work function (minimum energy needed to free an electron) and Ephoton=λhc is the incident photon's energy. A handy shortcut is Ephoton(eV)=λ(nm)1240, since hc≈1240 eV·nm.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert work function to eV: ϕ=1.6×10−196.4×10−19=4 eV.
- Convert wavelength to nm: 1240 A˚=124 nm.
- Photon energy: E=1241240=10 eV. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.The longest wavelength of light that can initiate photo electric effect in the metal of work function 9 eV is (A) 1.37×10−7 m (B) 1.5×10−7 m (C) 3.7×10−7 m (D) 4×10−7 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the threshold-wavelength relation in the photoelectric effect: the longest wavelength that can still eject an electron corresponds exactly to a photon energy equal to the work function.
Concept and Intuition
Below the threshold frequency (equivalently, above the threshold/longest wavelength), photons don't carry enough energy to overcome the metal's work function, so no photoelectrons are emitted regardless of intensity. At exactly the threshold, the photon energy just equals the work function, with zero kinetic energy left over for the electron.
Step-by-Step Solution
- At the threshold, Ephoton=λmaxhc=W (work function), since KE of the emitted electron is zero here.
- So λmax=Whc.
- Using hc=1240 eV·nm and W=9 eV: λmax=9 eV1240 eV⋅nm≈137.8 nm. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.Light of wavelength 4000A˚ is incident on a sodium surface for which the threshold wavelength of photo electrons is 5420A˚. The work function of sodium is (A) 4.58 eV (B) 2.29 eV (C) 1.14 eV (D) 0.57 eV
›Reveal solutionSolution
The work function equals the photon energy corresponding to the threshold wavelength, computed using hc≈12400 eV⋅A˚.
Concept and Intuition
In the photoelectric effect, the threshold wavelength λ0 is the longest wavelength (lowest photon energy) that can still just eject an electron from the metal surface — at this wavelength the photon energy exactly equals the work function, with zero kinetic energy left over for the electron. The incident wavelength of 4000 Å given in the problem is a distractor for this particular sub-question, since the work function depends only on the threshold wavelength.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Work function: W=λ0hc.
- Using the convenient constant hc≈12400 eV⋅A˚ and λ0=5420 Å: …
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