Lesson 5.6.2

5.6.2 Photoelectric effect, threshold frequency and work function Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.6.2, Photoelectric effect, threshold frequency and work function: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 5: Waves and Particle Nature of Light, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the emission of electrons from a metal surface by light called?

    • Pair production
    • Photoelectric effect
    • Thermionic emission
    • Compton scattering

  2. What is the minimum frequency needed for photoelectric emission from a metal?

    • Cut-off wavelength
    • Threshold frequency
    • Fundamental frequency
    • Resonant frequency

  3. What term describes the minimum energy required to release an electron from a metal?

    • Binding energy
    • Ionisation energy
    • Threshold energy
    • Work function

  4. Which equation is Einstein's photoelectric equation?

    • hf = phi - (1/2) m v_max^2
    • hf = phi/2 + (1/2) m v_max^2
    • h lambda = phi + m v_max
    • hf = phi + (1/2) m v_max^2

  5. Above the threshold frequency, what increases when light intensity is increased?

    • Threshold frequency
    • Metal work function
    • Maximum kinetic energy
    • Electron emission rate

  6. Which observation from the photoelectric effect provides evidence for the particle model of light?

    • Wave interference
    • Continuous absorption
    • Time delay
    • Instantaneous emission

  7. What quantity is given by the gradient of a maximum kinetic energy against frequency graph?

    • Electron charge
    • Work function
    • Threshold frequency
    • Planck constant

  8. A metal has work function 2.3 eV. What is its threshold frequency? Take h = 6.63 x 10^-34 J s and 1 eV = 1.6 x 10^-19 J.

    • 3.5 x 10^14 Hz
    • 1.4 x 10^15 Hz
    • 5.6 x 10^14 Hz
    • 5.6 x 10^12 Hz

  9. A metal with work function 2.0 eV is illuminated by light of frequency 1.0 x 10^15 Hz. What is the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons? Take h = 6.63 x 10^-34 J s.

    • 1.0 x 10^-19 J
    • 3.4 x 10^-19 J
    • 6.6 x 10^-19 J
    • 3.2 x 10^-19 J

  10. The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons from a metal is 3.0 eV. What stopping potential is needed to stop them?

    • 1.5 V
    • 0.33 V
    • 3.0 V
    • 6.0 V

  11. What is the work function of a metal whose threshold wavelength is 500 nm? Use hc = 1240 eV nm.

    • 2.5 eV
    • 0.40 eV
    • 1.6 eV
    • 5.0 eV

  12. Doubling light intensity above threshold frequency has what effect on photoelectron maximum kinetic energy?

    • It doubles
    • No change
    • It quadruples
    • It halves

  13. What happens when light intensity is increased below the threshold frequency?

    • Delayed electron emission
    • Higher kinetic energy
    • Increased emission rate
    • No electron emission

  14. On a graph of maximum kinetic energy against frequency, what does the x-intercept represent?

    • Threshold frequency
    • Planck constant
    • Stopping potential
    • Work function

  15. What is the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted by 3.1 eV photons from a metal with work function 2.0 eV?

    • 2.0 eV
    • 1.1 eV
    • 5.1 eV
    • 0.9 eV

  16. Light of frequency f is incident on a metal with work function 3.0 eV, and the photoelectrons have maximum kinetic energy 2.0 eV. What is f?

    • 1.2 x 10^15 Hz
    • 6.0 x 10^14 Hz
    • 7.5 x 10^14 Hz
    • 2.0 x 10^15 Hz

  17. A student measures a stopping voltage of 0.50 V at frequency 6.0 x 10^14 Hz and 1.30 V at 8.0 x 10^14 Hz. Which value of h follows from the gradient of V against f? Use e = 1.6 x 10^-19 C.

    • 6.4 x 10^-34 J s
    • 3.2 x 10^-34 J s
    • 1.6 x 10^-19 J s
    • 6.4 x 10^-19 J s

  18. A metal has threshold wavelength 620 nm. What is the maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted by light of wavelength 450 nm? Use hc = 1240 eV nm.

    • About 0.40 eV
    • About 2.8 eV
    • About 0.76 eV
    • About 1.2 eV

  19. Which factor directly determines the maximum kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons?

    • Surface area
    • Beam power
    • Light frequency
    • Light intensity

  20. What property of photoelectrons increases when the intensity of light above threshold frequency is increased?

    • Rate of emission
    • Work function
    • Threshold frequency
    • Maximum kinetic energy

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