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Question 40 of 42

Q.Write down Einstein's photoelectric equation and mention the symbols used.

West Bengal WbchseWest Bengal HS (WBCHSE) Board 2026Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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Einstein's photoelectric equation is (1/2) m v(max)^2 = h*nu - W0: the maximum kinetic energy of an emitted electron equals the photon energy minus the metal's work function.

The equation:

(1/2) m v(max)^2 = hnu - W0 = hnu - h*nu0.

Meaning of the symbols:

  • h = Planck's constant (about 6.63 x 10^-34 J s).
  • nu = frequency of the incident light (photon energy = h*nu).
  • W0 = work function of the metal = minimum energy needed to free an electron from the surface (W0 = h*nu0).
  • nu0 = threshold frequency (below which no emission occurs).
  • m = mass of the electron.
  • v(max) = maximum speed of the emitted photoelectron; (1/2) m v(max)^2 is its maximum kinetic energy, also equal to e*V0 where V0 is the stopping potential. …

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