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Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter appeared 31 times across 3 years — 3.6% of Physics. This question is from Photoelectric Effect and Threshold Wavelength.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 7 16 8 31

The work function of a substance is 3.0 ~eV. The longest wavelength of light that can cause the emission of photoelectrons from this substance is approximately:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula
E = (hc)/(λ) λth = 1240 eV Φ
Core Logic

For photoelectric emission to occur, the incident energy must be greater than or equal to the work function (Wₑ or Φ). The longest wavelength corresponds to the minimum energy required, which is exactly the work function.

λ ≤ (hc)/(Wₑ)
Step 1: Calculate Wavelength

Substitute the given values using the convenient constant hc ≈ 1240 ~eV · nm:

λ ≤ 1240 ~eV · nm3.0 ~eV λ ≤ 413.33 ~nm

The maximum wavelength (longest wavelength) is:

λ ≈ 414 ~nm
Pattern Recognition

The standard shortcut E(eV) = 1240 / λ(nm) rapidly converts work function to threshold wavelength without dealing with standard SI unit conversions.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Reference Study Guides

More Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Previous-Year Questions

Q37 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Photoelectric Effect
A light wave described by E = 60[ (3 × 10¹⁵t) + (12 × 10¹⁵t)] (in SI units) falls on a metal surface of work function 2.8 eV. The maximum kinetic energy of ejected photoelectron is (approximately) ____ eV. (h = 6.6 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋯. and e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹C)
  • A. 5.1
  • B. 3.8
  • C. 6.0
  • D. 7.8

Solution

Related Formula
Kmax = hνmax - φ₀ v = (ω)/(2π)
Core Logic

The light wave consists of two frequencies governed by ω₁ and ω₂. ω₁ = 3 × 10¹⁵ rad/s ω₂ = 12 × 10¹⁵ rad/s

The maximum kinetic energy of ejected photoelectrons will be determined by the highest frequency photon, which corresponds to ω₂ = 12 × 10¹⁵ rad/s.

Step 1: Calculate Photon Energy

Frequency νmax = (ω₂)/(2π) = 12 × 10¹⁵2 × 3.14 ≈ 1.91 × 10¹⁵ Hz.

Energy of this photon:

Ephoton = hν = (6.6 × 10⁻³⁴) × (1.91 × 10¹⁵) = 1.26 × 10⁻¹⁸ J

Convert this energy to eV:

Emax = 1.26 × 10⁻¹⁸1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ ≈ 7.87 eV ≈ 7.9 eV
Step 2: Calculate Maximum Kinetic Energy

Using Einstein's photoelectric equation:

Kmax = Emax - φ₀ Kmax = 7.9 - 2.8 = 5.1 eV
Pattern Recognition

When a wave has multiple frequency components (E = E₁ ω₁ t + E₂ ω₂ t), the Kmax is always strictly determined by the highest frequency (highest energy) component. Ignore the lower frequency terms.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Q48 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening De Broglie Wavelength
A particle having electric charge 3 × 10⁻¹⁹ C and mass 6 × 10⁻²⁷ kg is accelerated by applying an electric potential of 1.21 V. Wavelength of the matter wave associated with the particle is α × 10⁻¹² m. The value of α is ________. (Take Planck's constant = 6.6 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋯)
Numerical Answer. Answer: 10 to 10

Solution

Related Formula
λ = (h)/(p) = h√(2mK)

K = qV

Core Logic

For a charged particle accelerated through a potential difference V, the de Broglie wavelength is:

λ = h√(2mqV)
Step 1: Value Substitution
λ = 6.6 × 10⁻³⁴ 2 × 6 × 10⁻²⁷ × 3 × 10⁻¹⁹ × 1.21 λ = 6.6 × 10⁻³⁴ 36 × 10⁻⁴⁶ × 1.21
Step 2: Arithmetic Evaluation

Evaluate the square root:

√(36) × √(1.21) × 10⁻⁴⁶ = 6 × 1.1 × 10⁻²³ = 6.6 × 10⁻²³ λ = 6.6 × 10⁻³⁴6.6 × 10⁻²³ λ = 10⁻¹¹ m
Step 3: Final Conclusion

We need to express this in the form α × 10⁻¹² m:

10⁻¹¹ m = 10 × 10⁻¹² m

Therefore, α = 10.

Pattern Recognition

The expression inside the radical always evaluates cleanly in JEE. 2 × 6 × 3 = 36 and 1.21 = (1.1)² are engineered to perfectly cancel the 6.6 in the numerator.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Q44 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Photoelectric Effect and Threshold Frequency
Light is incident on a metallic plate having work function 110 × 10⁻²⁰ J. If the produced photoelectrons have zero kinetic energy then the angular frequency of the incident light is ____ rad/s. (h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J.s)
  • A. 1.04 × 10¹⁶
  • B. 1.04 × 10¹³
  • C. 1.66 × 10¹⁶
  • D. 1.66 × 10¹⁵

Solution

Related Formula

φ = h v

ω = 2π v = (2π φ)/(h)
Core Logic

Since kinetic energy of photoelectrons is zero (Kmax = 0), incident photon energy equals work function φ:

h v = φ v = (φ)/(h)

Calculating angular frequency ω:

ω = 2π v = (2π φ)/(h) = 2 × 3.14 × 110 × 10⁻²⁰6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ ω = 690.8 × 10⁻²⁰6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ ≈ 1.04 × 10¹⁶ ~rad/s
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The angular frequency of incident light is 1.04 × 10¹⁶ ~rad/s.

Pattern Recognition

Zero kinetic energy hν = φ. Convert linear frequency ν to angular frequency ω = 2π φ / h.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Q30 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning De Broglie Wavelength
The de Broglie wavelength of an oxygen molecule at 27°C is x × 10⁻¹² m. The value of x is (take Planck's constant = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J.s, Boltzmann constant = 1.38 × 10⁻²³ J/K, mass of oxygen. Molecule = 5.31 × 10⁻²⁶ kg).
  • A. 26
  • B. 24
  • C. 30
  • D. 20

Solution

Related Formula
λ = h√(2mK) K = (3)/(2)kT λ = h√(3mkT)
Step 1: Substitute Values

Given values: h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋯ m = 5.31 × 10⁻²⁶ kg k = 1.38 × 10⁻²³ J/K T = 27°C = 27 + 273 = 300 K

Substitute these into the wavelength equation:

λ = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ 3 × 5.31 × 10⁻²⁶ × 1.38 × 10⁻²³ × 300
Step 2: Simplify Calculation
λ = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ 3 × 300 × 5.31 × 1.38 × 10⁻⁴⁹ λ = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ 900 × 7.3278 × 10⁻⁴⁹ λ = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ 6595.02 × 10⁻⁴⁹ λ = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ 659.502 × 10⁻⁴⁸ λ = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴25.68 × 10⁻²⁴ ≈ 0.258 × 10⁻¹⁰ m
Step 3: Match with Format
λ = 25.8 × 10⁻¹² m

Rounding to nearest integer, x = 26.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: "de Broglie wavelength" + "gas molecule" + "temperature" → Immediately use λ = h/√(3mkT). Watch for temperature conversion to Kelvin.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Class 11 Physics: Kinetic Theory

Q33 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Photoelectric Effect
When a light of a given wavelength falls on a metallic surface the stopping potential for photoelectrons is 3.2 V. If a second light having wavelength twice of first light is used, the stopping potential drops to 0.7 V. The wavelength of first light is ____ m. (h = 6.63× 10⁻³⁴J.s,e = 1.6× 10⁻¹⁹C,c = 3× 10⁸m / s)
  • A. 2.9 × 10⁻⁸
  • B. 2.2 × 10⁻⁸
  • C. 3.1 × 10⁻⁷
  • D. 2.5 × 10⁻⁷

Solution

Related Formula
eVₛ = (hc)/(λ) - φ
Core Logic

For the first light:

e(3.2) = (hc)/(λ) - φ (1)

For the second light (wavelength 2λ):

e(0.7) = (hc)/(2λ) - φ (2)

Photoelectric Effect diagram for Q33 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Photoelectric Effect diagram for Q33 - JEE Main 2026 Evening

Step 1: Solving the Equation

Subtract Equation (2) from Equation (1):

e(3.2) - e(0.7) = ( (hc)/(λ) - φ ) - ( (hc)/(2λ) - φ ) e(2.5) = (hc)/(2λ)
Step 2: Calculate Wavelength
2.5 = ((hc)/(e)) ((1)/(2λ))

Using (hc)/(e) ≈ 12400 eV·AA:

2.5 = (12400)/(2λ) λ = (12400)/(5) AA λ = 2480 AA = 2.48 × 10⁻⁷ m
Pattern Recognition

When you have two states of photoelectric effect for the same metal, subtracting the two stopping potential equations instantly eliminates the work function φ. Convert hc/e directly to 12400 eV·AA to expedite calculation.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

More Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Questions — jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning

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