Lesson 3.2.2.1

3.2.2.1 The photoelectric effect Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.2.2.1, The photoelectric effect: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 2: Particles and radiation, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What term describes the minimum photon frequency needed to emit photoelectrons from a metal?

    • Work function
    • Stopping potential
    • Threshold frequency
    • Ionisation energy

  2. What term describes the minimum energy required to liberate an electron from a metal surface?

    • Threshold frequency
    • Stopping potential
    • Ionisation potential
    • Work function

  3. Which equation is the photoelectric equation?

    • hf = phi + Ek(max)
    • phi = hf + Ek(max)
    • hf = Ek(max)
    • hf = phi - Ek(max)

  4. In the photoelectric effect, how many photons interact with each emitted photoelectron?

    • Exactly 1
    • Varies with intensity
    • At least 2
    • Depends on frequency

  5. What is the relationship between stopping potential Vs and maximum kinetic energy?

    • eVs = Ek(max)
    • Vs = hf
    • Vs = Ek(max)
    • eVs = 2Ek(max)

  6. Increasing light intensity above the threshold frequency causes an increase in which quantity?

    • Work function
    • Maximum kinetic energy
    • Photocurrent
    • Threshold frequency

  7. A metal has work function 2.0 eV. What is its threshold frequency? Use 1 eV = 1.6 × 10^-19 J and h = 6.63 × 10^-34 J s.

    • 1.2 × 10^15 Hz
    • 4.8 × 10^14 Hz
    • 3.0 × 10^14 Hz
    • 9.6 × 10^14 Hz

  8. A metal with work function 2.0 eV is illuminated with light of frequency 1.0 × 10^15 Hz. What is the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons?

    • 6.1 eV
    • 4.1 eV
    • 2.1 eV
    • 2.0 eV

  9. For the same light and metal (work function 2.0 eV, frequency 1.0 × 10^15 Hz), what is the stopping potential?

    • 2.1 V
    • 0.5 V
    • 4.1 V
    • 2.0 V

  10. What is the energy in eV of a photon of wavelength 400 nm, using hc = 1240 eV nm?

    • 3.1 eV
    • 1.6 eV
    • 5.0 eV
    • 0.31 eV

  11. Light with photon energy 3.1 eV shines on metal with work function 4.0 eV. What happens?

    • Electrons emitted slowly
    • Maximum kinetic emission
    • Low kinetic emission
    • No emission occurs

  12. A metal has work function 2.0 eV. If the frequency is doubled from 1.0 × 10^15 Hz to 2.0 × 10^15 Hz, what is the new maximum kinetic energy?

    • 4.3 eV
    • 12.3 eV
    • 6.3 eV
    • 2.1 eV

  13. Why does ultraviolet light cause photoelectron emission from zinc, whereas visible light does not?

    • Lower speed
    • Greater amplitude
    • Higher intensity
    • Higher frequency

  14. What does the gradient of a graph of maximum kinetic energy against frequency represent?

    • The product hc
    • The electronic charge e
    • The work function
    • The Planck constant h

  15. What does the frequency-axis intercept of a graph of Ek(max) against f give?

    • The Planck constant
    • The work function
    • The threshold frequency
    • The stopping potential

  16. In a graph of maximum kinetic energy against frequency, what does the y-intercept represent?

    • Planck constant
    • Work function
    • Minus work function
    • Threshold frequency

  17. A photon of energy 5.0 eV strikes a metal with work function 2.5 eV. What is the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electron?

    • 7.5 eV
    • 0.5 eV
    • 2.5 eV
    • 5.0 eV

  18. Why does maximum photoelectron kinetic energy remain unchanged when light intensity increases?

    • Threshold frequency rises
    • Photons merge together
    • Photon energy unchanged
    • Work function increases

  19. The stopping potential for photoelectrons is 1.5 V. What is the maximum kinetic energy in joules?

    • 1.5 × 10^-19 J
    • 2.4 × 10^-20 J
    • 2.4 × 10^-19 J
    • 9.4 × 10^18 J

  20. Below the threshold frequency, what happens when light shines on a metal plate?

    • Continuous electron emission
    • Instantaneous ionisation
    • Increased work function
    • No photoelectrons emitted

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