NAME______________________________

IB PHYSICS HL
REVIEW PACKET: ATOMIC PHYSICS
1.

This question is about atomic and nuclear structure.

In a nuclear model of the atom, most of the atom is regarded as empty space. A tiny nucleus is surrounded by a
number of electrons.
(a)

Outline one piece of experimental evidence that supports this nuclear model of the atom.
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(3)
(b)

Explain why the protons in a nucleus do not fly apart from each other.
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(2)
(c)

In total, there are approximately 10

(i)

29

electrons in the atoms making up a person.

Estimate the electrostatic force of repulsion between two people standing 100 m apart as a result of
these electrons.
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(4)
(ii)

Explain why two people standing 100 m apart would not feel the force that you have calculated in
part (i).
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(2)
(Total 11 marks)

2.

This question is about atomic models.

The Bohr model was developed in order to explain the atomic spectrum of hydrogen.
(a)

Explain how the Bohr model was used to explain the spectrum of atomic hydrogen.
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(4)

(b)

State one limitation of the Bohr model.

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(1)

A later model of the atom was developed by Schrdinger.

(c)

(i)

State two differences between the model of Bohr and the model of Schrdinger.
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(2)

(ii)

Explain how the Schrdinger theory is consistent with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

3.

This question is about wave-particle duality.

(a)

Describe the de Broglie hypothesis.

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(2)

(b)

An electron is accelerated from rest through a potential difference of 1250 V. Determine the associated de
Broglie wavelength of the accelerated electron.
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(4)

(Total 6 marks)
4.

This question is about line spectra.

(a)

Light is emitted from a gas discharge tube. Outline briefly how the visible line spectrum of this light may be
obtained.
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(2)

The table below gives information relating to three of the wavelengths in the line spectrum of atomic hydrogen.

(b)

9
Wavelength / 10 m

19
Photon energy / 10
J

1880

1.06

656

3.03

486

4.09

9
19
Deduce that the photon energy for the wavelength of 486 10 m is 4.09 10
J.
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(2)

The diagram below shows two of the energy levels of the hydrogen atom, using data from the table above. An
electron transition between these levels is also shown.

2.41 10 19 J
photon emitted, wavelength = 656 nm
5.44 10 19 J

(c)

(i)

On the diagram above, construct the other energy level needed to produce the energy changes shown
in the table above.
(1)

(ii)

Draw arrows to represent the energy changes for the two other wavelengths shown in the table above.
(1)

(Total 6 marks)

5.

This question is about the photoelectric effect.

The apparatus shown below may be used to investigate the photoelectric effect.
monochromatic incident light

window
vacuum

electrode

metal plate
A
V

The potential difference V applied between the metal plate and electrode may be varied in magnitude and in direction.
This is repeated for different values of intensity for the same frequency of light.

(a)

Monochromatic light is incident on the metal plate. The potential difference between the plate and the
electrode is adjusted so that the reading on the microammeter is a maximum. The graph below shows the
variation with intensity of the monochromatic light of the maximum current.

maximum current

intensity

Explain the features of this graph.

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(4)

(b)

The frequency and the intensity of the light are held constant. The graph below shows the variation with the
potential difference V of the current I measured on the microammeter.

V0

The frequency of the light is doubled at a constant intensity. On the graph above, draw a second line to show
the variation with potential difference of the current in the microammeter.
(3)

(Total 7 marks)
6.

This question is about energy levels and atomic models.

(a)

Diagram 1 below shows some of the energy levels (measured in electron-volts) of the hydrogen atom.
Diagram 2 is a representation of part of the visible spectrum of atomic hydrogen (not to scale).
Diagram 1
0
0.54
0.85

Diagram 2

1.5
= 660nm

= 470nm

= 430nm

3.4

energy / eV

red

blue

violet

13.6

(i)

State the value of the ionization energy of hydrogen.

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(1)
(ii)

The wavelength corresponding to the red line in the visible spectrum of atomic hydrogen is 660 nm.
Deduce that the energy of a photon of wavelength 660 nm is 1.9 eV.
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(3)
(iii)

On diagram 1, draw an arrow to show the electron transition between energy levels that gives rise to
a photon of energy 1.9 eV. Label this arrow with the letter R.

(1)
(iv)

On diagram 1 and using your answer to (iii), draw arrows to show the electron transitions that give
rise to the blue line and to the violet line in the visible spectrum of atomic hydrogen. Label these
arrows B and V respectively.(1)
6

(b)

The kinetic energy of an electron in the ground state of a hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV. Deduce that an electron
10
m (mass

in the ground state of the hydrogen atom has a de Broglie wavelength of approximately 3.3 10
31
of electron = 9.1 10
kg).
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(4)
(c)

10
The radius of the hydrogen atom is of the order of 10
m. Outline how the value of the de Broglie
wavelength in (b) is consistent with the Schrdinger model of the hydrogen atom.
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(3)

(Total 13 marks)
7.

This question is about photoelectric emission.

A piece of metal is placed in an evacuated container. Light of wavelength 444 nm is incident on the surface of the
metal. The surface has a work function of 4.60 eV.
(a)

(i)

Calculate the energy, in joule, of a photon of light of wavelength 444 nm.

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(1)

(ii)

Deduce whether photoelectric emission of electrons will occur.

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(3)
(b)

The wavelength of the light incident on the surface is now reduced to 222 nm. State and explain why
electrons having a range of kinetic energy from zero to approximately 1.0 eV will be emitted.
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(4)

(Total 8 marks)

8.

Photoelectric effect
A metal is placed in a vacuum and light of frequency f is incident on its surface. As a result, electrons are emitted
from the surface. The graph below shows the variation with frequency f of the maximum kinetic energy EK of the
emitted electrons.

(a)

The graph above shows that there is a threshold frequency of the incident light below which no electrons are
emitted from the surface. With reference to the Planck constant and the photoelectric work function, explain
how Einsteins photoelectric theory accounts for this threshold frequency.
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(4)
(b)

Use the graph in (a) to calculate the

(i)

threshold frequency.
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(1)

(ii)

Planck constant.
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(4)

(iii)

work function of the metal.

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(2)
(Total 11 marks)
8

MARK SCHEME!
1.

(a)

(b)

(c)

[1] for any valid and relevant point eg

Geiger-Marsden experiment involved bombardment of gold foil by
alpha particles;
most passed straight through / were deviated through small angles but,
some deflected through large angles;
these alpha particles were heading towards central nucleus;

3 max

[1] for any valid and relevant point eg

protons in nucleus repel each other (seen or implied);
but are held together by the strong nuclear force / or neutrons are
involved keeping it bound together / OWTTE;

2 max

(i)

with q1 = q2 = 10
and r = 100 m;

29

to get F = 2.3 10

(ii)

q1 q 2

attempted use of F =

4 0 r 2

e = 1.6 10

26

10

C;

26
N 10 N;

people are overall electrically neutral;

equal numbers of positive charges mean that overall the electrical
force is zero / OWTTE;

4 max

2 max
[11]

2.

(a)

the Bohr model predicts the electrons in the hydrogen atom exists
in discrete energy levels;
an electron emits a photon every time a transition to a lower energy
level is made;
the photon has an energy given by the difference of the energy levels
involved in the transitions;
photon frequency determined by its energy / each transition gives rise to a
single / discrete wavelength (as observed in spectrum);

Award [1] for any other relevant and appropriate comments up to [4 max].

(b)

(c)

it cannot be applied to many electron atoms / it does not predict the

intensity of different lines;

(i)

Bohrs model has the electron in specific orbits of specific radius;

Schrdingers theory attaches to the electron a probability wave;

Accept any sensible and appropriate comparison.

(ii)

the Schrdinger theory attaches to an electron a probability wave;

and hence the electron cannot be pinpointed with absolute certainty
at any one point;
which is what the Heisenberg principle demands since x (the
uncertainty in position) is always 0;

3
[10]

3.

(a)

all particles have a wavelength associated with them;

given by
(b)

h
, with h and p explained
p

kinetic energy of electron = qV;

16
= 2.00 10
J;

EK

P2
2E
or v 2
2m
m

p = 1.91 10

23

7 1
and p = mv (v = 2.1 10 ms )

Ns;

h
p

= 3.47 10

11

m; (allow 2 significant digits)

[6]
4.

(a)

use of diffraction grating / prism and screen / telescope;

observe diffracted / refracted light or first / second orders;

(b)

hc

or

E hf

and c = f ;

correct substitution into relevant formula clear;

19
to give energy = 4.09 10
J
Award [0] for answer alone.
(c)

(i)

______________________ 1.35 10
______________________ 2.41 10
______________________ 5.44 10

19
19
19

J
J
J

level shown in reasonable position (spacing of lines not important);

To receive the mark answers must quote 1.35 10
(ii)

transition 1.35 10
transition 1.35 10

19

J.

19

19
5.44 10
(and labelled 486 nm)

19

19
2.41 10
(and labelled 1880 nm);

1
[6]

5.

(a)

light consists of photons;

number of photons / sec determines intensity of light;
each photon extracts an electron (from metal);
therefore, current is proportional to intensity of light;

V0 is lower / more negative;

general shape of curve (same);
saturation current smaller;

(b)

[7]

10

6.

(a)

(i)

substitution into formula

to give E = 4.48 10

19

hc

J;

Units need not be stated.

photon energy = 2.8eV or work function = 7.36 10
photon energy < work function;
hence no emission;

(ii)

(b)

19
J;
3

electron emitted from surface will have energy (2 2.8 4.6) = 1.0eV;
photon can interact with an electron below surface;
so energy is required to bring the electron to the surface;
this energy is deducted from maximum kinetic energy of electron;

[8]
7.

(a)

(i)

13.6eV

(ii)

hc
;

6.6 10 34 3 10 8
3 10 19 J ;
7
6.6 10

3 10 19
;
1.6 10 19

= 1.9eV

(b)

(iii)

see diagram below.

(iv)

see diagram below.

Both must be correct to award [1].

2
p = 2mE;
= 2 9.1 10

31

13.6 1.6 10

19

24
to give p = 2.0 10
Ns;

h 6.6 10 34

;
p 2.0 10 24

= 3.3 1010 m

4
11

(c)

(the model) assumes that electrons are described by wave functions / OWTTE;
wave(s) associated with electron(s) is / are bounded by the atom;
this means that for the electron in the ground state the wavelength is
10
10
m / OWTTE;
These are the basic marking points but candidates might answer with a diagram
as well.

[13]

8.

Photoelectric effect
(a)

light consists of photons;

the energy of each photon = hf where h is the Planck constant;
a certain amount of energy, the work function is required to remove
an electron from the metal surface;
if

then no electrons will be emitted;

Award [4] for these precise points as they are needed in view of the question.
Award [2 max] for a purely qualitative answer.

(b)

15

(i)

1.1 10

(ii)

EK = hf = Ve;

Hz;

slope of graph =

h
;
e

slope = 4.2(0.4) 10

15
;

15
19
34
h = 4.2(0.4) 10
1.6 10
= 6.7 (0.4) 10
J s;
Note: the answer must show that the graph has been used if not,
award [0] for a bald answer as this could have been taken from the
data book.
(iii)

= hf0;
15
34
19
= 1.1 10 6.7 10
= 7.4 10
J;
The value of h from (b)(ii) must be used.
or
from the intercept on EK axis;
= 4.5(0.2) eV;

2
[11]

12