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Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms
Chapter 6, Problem 33a

Molybdenum metal must absorb radiation with an energy higher than 7.22 * 10-19 J ('energy threshold') before it can eject an electron from its surface via the photoelectric effect. (a) What is the frequency threshold for emission of electrons?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Photoelectric Effect

The photoelectric effect is a phenomenon where electrons are emitted from a material when it absorbs light or electromagnetic radiation. This effect demonstrates the particle nature of light, as photons must have sufficient energy to overcome the work function of the material, which is the minimum energy required to eject an electron.
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Photoelectric Effect

Energy-Frequency Relationship

The energy of a photon is directly related to its frequency through the equation E = hν, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant (6.626 x 10^-34 J·s), and ν (nu) is the frequency. This relationship allows us to calculate the frequency of radiation needed to provide a specific amount of energy, such as the energy threshold for electron emission.
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Frequency-Wavelength Relationship

Threshold Frequency

The threshold frequency is the minimum frequency of incident light required to eject electrons from a material's surface in the photoelectric effect. It can be calculated using the energy threshold and Planck's constant, indicating that only photons with frequencies above this threshold can cause electron emission.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

The energy from radiation can be used to rupture chemical bonds. A minimum energy of 192 kJ/mol is required to break the bromine–bromine bond in Br2. What is the longest wavelength of radiation that possesses the necessary energy to break the bond? What type of electromagnetic radiation is this?

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Textbook Question

A diode laser emits at a wavelength of 987 nm. (a) In what portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is this radiation found? (b) All of its output energy is absorbed in a detector that measures a total energy of 0.52 J over a period of 32 s. How many photons per second are being emitted by the laser?

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Textbook Question

A stellar object is emitting radiation at 3.0 mm. (a) What type of electromagnetic spectrum is this radiation (b) If a detector is capturing 3.0 3 108 photons per second at this wavelength, what is the total energy of the photons detected in 1 day?

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Textbook Question

Molybdenum metal must absorb radiation with an energy higher than 7.22 * 10-19 J ('energy threshold') before it can eject an electron from its surface via the photoelectric effect. (b) What wavelength of radiation will provide a photon of this energy?

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Textbook Question

Molybdenum metal must absorb radiation with an energy higher than 7.22 * 10-19 J ('energy threshold') before it can eject an electron from its surface via the photoelectric effect. (c) If molybdenum is irradiated with light of wavelength of 240 nm, what is the maximum possible velocity of the emitted electrons?

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Textbook Question

Does the hydrogen atom 'expand' or 'contract' when an electron is excited from the n = 1 state to the n = 3 state?

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