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Q.How can you calculate the value of Planck's constant from the graph of stopping potential and wavelength of incident wave?

A graph of stopping potential V0 (y-axis) vs frequency nu (x-axis): a single straight line of positive slope intercepting the frequency — Class 12 Physics question
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West Bengal WbchseWest Bengal HS (WBCHSE) Board 2026Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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Since eV0 = hnu - W0, a graph of stopping potential V0 versus frequency nu is a straight line whose slope equals h/e; multiplying the measured slope by the electronic charge e gives Planck's constant.

Step 1 - The governing relation. Einstein's equation with stopping potential V0: eV0 = hnu - W0. Rearranging, V0 = (h/e)*nu - (W0/e).

Step 2 - Choose the graph. Because nu = c/lambda, the incident frequency is known from the wavelength. Plotting V0 (y-axis) against nu (x-axis) gives a straight line with:

  • slope = h/e,
  • y-intercept = -W0/e (and x-intercept = threshold frequency nu0).

Step 3 - Extract h. Measure the slope of the line, slope = (change in V0)/(change in nu). Then

h = e x slope, with e = 1.6 x 10^-19 C.

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