7.2.

5 Photoelectric Effect

7.63 The wavelength of the photoelectric threshold for silver is 3,250 ×10−10 m.
Determine the velocity of electron ejected from a silver surface by ultraviolet light of
wavelength 2,536 ×10−10 m
[University of Durham 1960]
Solution:
According to Einsteins’s equation, kinetic energy of the photoelectron
T = h ν − h ν0 (1)
where ν is the frequency of the incident photon and ν0 is the threshold
frequency.
λ = 2,536 × 10−10 m = 253.6nm
Corresponding energy E = h ν = 1,241/253.6 eV = 4.894 eV
λ0 = 3,250 × 10−10 m = 325 nm
E = h ν0 = 1,241/325 = 3.818
T = 4.894 − 3.818 = 1.076 eV
T = 1/2 mv2 = mc2 v2/2c2 = 0.511 × 106 × v2/2 c2 = 1.076
whence v = 2.05 × 10−3 c = 6.15 × 105 m s−1

7.64 The gamma ray photon from 137Cs when incident upon a piece of uranium ejects
photo electrons from its K-shell. The momentum measured with a magnetic beta ray
spectrometer, yields a value of Br = 3.08 × 10−3 Wb/m. The binding energy of a K-
electron in Uranium is 115.59 keV. Determine
(a) the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons
(b) the energy of the gamma ray photons
[University of Durham 1962]
Solution:
The momentum p = 300 Br MeV/c
= 300 × 3.083 × 10−3
= 0.925MeV/c
E2 = (T + m)2 = p2 + m2
T = (p2 + m2)1/2 − m
Put p = 0.925 and m = 0.511
T = 0.546MeV
(a) The kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is 0.546MeV
(b) The energy of the gamma ray photons is 0.546 + 0.116 = 0.662MeV

7.65 Ultraviolet light of wavelength 2,537 °A from a mercury arc falls upon a silver
photocathode. If the photoelectric threshold wavelength for silver is 3,250 A° ,
calculate the least potential difference which must be applied between the anode and
the photo-cathode to prevent electrons from the photo-cathode.
[University of Durham]
Solution:
T = h ν − h ν0
h ν = 1,241/253.7 = 4.89 eV
h ν0 = 1,241/325 = 3.81 eV
T = eV = 4.89 − 3.81 = 1.08
The required potential is 1.08V
7.66 Show that photoelectric effect can not take place with a free electron.
Solution:
Suppose the photoelectric effect does take place with a free electron due to the
absorption of a photon of energy T . The photoelectron must be ejected with energy in
the incident direction. Energy and momentum conservation give
T=hν (1)
P = h ν /c (2)
Equation (1) can be written as the relativistic relation connecting momentum and
kinetic energy
T 2 = c2 p2 = T 2 + 2Tmc2 (3)
Using (1) and (2) in (3), we get
2h ν . mc2 = 0
Neither h nor mc2 is zero. We thus end up with an absurd situation. This only
means that both energy and momentum can not be conserved for photoelectric effect
with a free electron.

7.67 Estimate the thickness of lead (density 11.3g cm−3) required to absorb 90% of
gamma rays of energy 1MeV. The absorption cross-section or gammas of 1MeV in
lead (A = 207) is 20 barns/atom.
Solution:
Number of gamma rays absorbed in the thickness x cm of lead
N = N0(1 − e−μ x )
where N0 is the initial number and μ is the absorption coefficient expressed in cm−1.
Now μ = σ N0 ρ/A
where N0 is the Avagadro’s number, ρ is the density of lead and A is its atomic
weight.
μ = 20 × 10−24 × 6.02 × 1023 × 11.3/207 = 0.657 cm−1
n/n0 = 90/100 = 1 − e−0.657x
x = 3.5 cm

7.68 An X-ray absorption survey of a specimen of silver shows a sharp absorption edge at
the expected λkα value for silver of 0.0485 nm and a smaller edge at 0.0424 nm due to
an impurity. If the atomic number of silver is 47, identify
the impurity as being 44Ru, 45Rh, 46Pd, v48Cd,V49In or 50Sn.
Solution:
The K-shell absorption wavelength in Ag
λk = 0.0424 nm
The corresponding energy
EK(Ag) = 1,241/0.0485 = 25,567 eV
We use the formula
EK(Z) = 13.6(Z − σ)2
For silver 25.567 × 103 = 13.6(47 − σ)2
whence σ = 3.64
For the impurity X of atomic number Z = 50
Ek(Z) = 13.6(50 − 3.64)2
= 29,229 eV
= 29.23 keV
Now the wavelength of 0.0424 nm corresponds to E = 29.24 keV which is in
agreement with the calculated value. Thus the impurity is 50Sn
7.69 A metal surface is illuminated with light of different wavelengths and the
corresponding stopping potentials of the photoelectrons V, are found to be as follows.
λ (A° ) 3,660 4,050 4,360 4,920 5,460 5,790
V (V) 1.48 1.15 0.93 0.62 0.36 0.24
Determine Planck’s constant, the threshold wavelength and the work function.
[University of Durham 1970]
Solution:
eV = hc/λ − W
A plot of V against 1/λ must be a straight line. The slope of the line gives hc/e, hence
h can be determined. The intercept multiplied by hc give W, the work function. The
threshold frequency is given by ν0 = W/h (Fig. 7.16).

Slope = 1.24/106 = hc/e

h = 1.24×10−6×e/c = (1.24×10−6×1.6×10−19/(3×108) = 6.6×10−34 J-s
Intercept = 1.5 × 10−6 m−1
W = hc × intercept = 6.6 × 10−34 × 3 × 108 × 1.5 × 106
= 3 × 10−19 J = 3 × 10−19/1.6 × 10−19 eV = 1.9 eV
hν0 = W
ν0 = W/h = 3 × 10−19/6.6 × 10−34 = 4.545 × 1014
λ0 = 6.6 × 10−7 m

7.70 A 4 cm diameter and 1 cm thick NaI is used to detect the 660 keV gammas emitted by
a 100μCi point source of 137Cs placed on its axis at a distance of 1m from its surface.
Calculate separately the number of photoelectrons and Compton electrons released in
the crystal given that the linear absorption coefficients for photo and Compton
processes are 0.03 and 0.24 per cm, respectively. What is the number of 660 keV
gammas that pass through the crystal without interacting? (1 Curie = 3.7 × 1010
disintegration per second)
[Osmania University 1974]
Solution:
The solid angle subtended at the source
Ω = area of the face of the crystal/square of the distamce from the source
= π R2/d2
Assuming that the gamma rays are emitted isotropically, the fraction of
gamma rays entering the crystal
F = Ω/4π = R2/4d2 = 22/4 × 1002 = 10−4
The number of photons entering the crystal per second from the source of
strength S is
N = SF = 100 × 10−6 × 3.7 × 1010 × 10−4
= 370/s
Number of photons absorbed in the crystal of 1 cm thickness due to photoelectric
effect will be
Nph = N(1 − exp(−μph x) = 370(1 − e−0.03×1) = 11
and the number absorbed due to Compton scattering will be
Nc = N(1 − exp(−μc x) = 370(1 − e−0.24×1) = 79
Assuming that each photon that interacts in the crystal produces a photo
electron, Nph and Nc also denote the number of photoelectrons in the respective
processes.
Number of photons that do not interact in 1sec in the crystal is 370 − (11 + 79) = 280
7.71 A photon incident upon a hydrogen atom ejects an electron with a kinetic energy of
10.7 eV. If the ejected electron was in the first excited state, calculate the energy of
the photon. What kinetic energy would have been imparted to an electron in the
ground state?
Solution:
In the first excited state the ionization energy is 13.6/22 = 3.4 eV
T=hν−W
h ν = T + W = 10.7 + 3.4 = 14.1 eV
In the ground state, W = 13.6 eV
T = 14.1 − 13.6 = 0.5 eV

7.72 Ultraviolet light of wavelengths, 800 °A and 700 A° , when allowed to fall on
hydrogen atoms in their ground state, are found to liberate electrons with kinetic
energy 1.8 and 4.0 eV, respectively. Find the value of Planck’s constant.
[Indian Institute of Technology 1983]
Solution:
T = h ν − W (Einstein’s equation)
T1 = hc/λ1 – W
T2 = hc/λ2 − W
T2 − T1 = hc(1/λ2 − 1/λ1)
(4.0 − 1.8) × 1.6 × 10−19 J = hc 1
700×10−10 − 1
800×10−10 _
Solving for h, we get h = 6.57 × 10−34 Js
The accepted value is h = 6.625 × 10−34 J-s
7.73 What is the maximum wavelength (in nm) of light required to produce any current via
the photoelectric effect if the anode is made of copper, which has a work function of
4.7 eV?
[University of London 2006]
Solution:
hν0 = W = 4.7 eV
λ0 = 1,241/4.7 = 264 nm.

7.74 Photons of energy 4.25 eV strike the surface of a metal A. The ejected photoelectrons
have maximum kinetic energy TA eV and de Broglie wavelength λA. The maximum
kinetic energy of photoelectrons liberated from another metal by photons of energy
4.70 eV is TB = (TA − 1.50) eV. If the de Broglie wavelength of the photoelectrons is
λB = 2λA, then calculate the kinetic energies TA and TB, and the work functions WA
and WB.
[Indian Institute of Technology]
Solution:
eV = hc/λ − W
A plot of V against 1/λ must be a straight line. The slope of the line gives hc/e, hence
h can be determined. The intercept multiplied by hc give W, the work function. The
threshold frequency is given by ν0 = W/h (Fig. 7.16).
Slope = 1.24/106 = hc/e
h = 1.24×10−6×e/c = (1.24×10−6×1.6×10−19/(3×108) = 6.6×10−34 J-s
Intercept = 1.5 × 10−6 m−1
W = hc × intercept = 6.6 × 10−34 × 3 × 108 × 1.5 × 106
= 3 × 10−19 J = 3 × 10−19/1.6 × 10−19 eV = 1.9 eV
 hν0 = W
ν0 = W/h = 3 × 10−19/6.6 × 10−34 = 4.545 × 1014
λ0 = 6.6 × 10−7 m

7.2.9 Radioactivity (General)

7.85 The disintegration rate of a radioactive source was measured at intervals of four
minutes. The rate was found to be (in arbitrary units) 18.59, 13.27, 10.68, 9.34, 8.55,
8.03, 7.63, 7.30, 6.99, 6.71, and 6.44. Assuming that the source contained only one or
two types of radio nucleus, calculate the half lives involved.
[University of Durham]

Solution:
T0 48 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
dN/dt 18.59 13.27 10.68 9.34 8.55 8.03 7.63 7.30 6.99 6.71 6.44
ln(dN/dt) 2.923 2.585 2.368 2.234 2.146 2.083 2.032 1.988 1.944 1.904 1.863
The log-linear plot of dN/dt versus time (t) is not a straight line because the source
contains two types of radioactive material of different half-lives described by the sum of two
exponentials. If the two half-lives are widely different then it is possible to estimate the half-
lives by the following procedure.
Toward the end of the curve (Fig. 7.18), say for time 20–28 h, most of the atoms of
the shorter-lived substance with half-life T1 would have decayed and the curve straightens
up, corresponding to the single decay of longer half-life of T2. If this straight line is
extrapolated back up to the y-axis, then the half-life T2 can be estimated in the usual way as
from the slope of the curve for a single source on the log-linear plot. In this example,
T2 =
0.693 Δt
ln _dN
dt _0 − ln _dN
dt _t =
(0.693)(40)
(2.083 − 1.863) = 63 min
For the shorter-lived substance, the contribution dN2/dt of the source 2
can be subtracted from the observed values in the initial portion of the curve
over suitable time interval and the procedure repeated. In this way we find
T1 = 10 min.
7.86 100 millicuries of radon which emits 5.5MeV α-particles are contained in a glass
capillary tube 5 cm long with internal and external diameters 2 and 6mm respectively.
Neglecting end effects and assuming that the inside of the tube is uniformly
irradicated by the particles which are stopped at the surface, calculate the temperature
difference between the walls of a tube when steady thermal conditions have been
reached.
Thermal conductivity of glass = 0.025 Cal cm−2s−1 C−1
Curie = 3.7 × 1010 disintegrations per second
J = 4.18 joule Cal−1
[University of Durham]

7.87 Radium being a member of the uranium series occurs in uranium ores. If the half lives
of uranium and radium are respectively 4.5 × 109 and 1,620 years, calculate the
relative proportions of these elements in a uranium ore, which has attained
equilibrium and from which none of the radioactive products have escaped.
 [University of Durham]

7.88 A sealed box was found which stated to have contained an alloy composed of equal
parts by weight of two metals A and B. These metals are radioactive, with half lives
of 12 years and 18 years, respectively and when the container was opened it was
found to contain 0.53 kg of A and 2.20 kg of B. Deduce the age of the alloy.
[University of New Castle]

7.89 Determine the amount of 210/84 Po necessary to provide a source of α-particles of 10

millicuries strength. Half life of Polonium = 138 D.

7.90 A radioactive substance of half life 100 days which emits β-particles of average
energy 5×10−7 ergs is used to drive a thermoelectric cell. Assuming the cell to have
an efficiency 10%, calculate the amount (in gram-molecules) of radioactive substance
required to generate 5W of electricity.

7.91 The radioactive isotope, 14/6 C does not occur naturally but it is found at constant rate
by the action of cosmic rays on the atmosphere. It is taken up by plants and animals
and deposited in the body structure along with natural carbon, but this process stops at
death. The charcoal from the fire pit of an ancient camp has an activity due to 14/6 C
of 12.9 disintegrations per minute, per gram of carbon. If the percentage of 14/6 C
compared with normal Carbon in living trees is 1.35 × 10−10%, the decay constant is
3.92 × 10−10 s−1 and the atomic weight = 12.0, what is the age of the campsite?
[University of Liverpool]

7.92 Consider the decay scheme RaE β→RaF β→RaG (stable). A freshly purified sample
of RaE weighs 5×10−10 g at time t = 0. If the sample is undisturbed, calculate the
time at which the greatest number of atoms of RaF will be present and find this
number. Derive any necessary formula [Half life of RaE_210/83 Bi_ = 5.0 days; Half
life of RaF _210/84 Po_ = 138 days]

7.93 It is found that a solution containing 1 g of the α– emitter radium (226Ra) never
accumulates more than 6.4 × 10−6 g of its daughter element radon which has a half
life of 3.825 days. Explain how the half life of radium may be deduced from this
information and calculate its value.
[University of London]

7.94 Find the mean-life of 55Co radionuclide if its activity is known to decrease 4.0% per
hour. The decay product is non-radioactive.

7.95 What proportion of 235U was present in a rock formed 3,000×106 years ago, given
that the present proportion of 235U to 238U is 140?
[University of Liverpool]

7.96 A source consisting of 1μg of 242Pu is spread thinly over one plate of an ionization
chamber. Alpha-particle pulses are observed at the rate of 80 per second, and
spontaneous fission pulses at the rate of 3 per hour. Calculate the half life of 242Pu
and the partial decay constants for the two modes of decay.
[Osmania University]
7.97 90Sr decays to 90Y by β decay with a half-life of 28 years. 90Y decays by β decay to
90Zr with a half-life of 64 h. A pure sample of 90Sr is allowed to decay. What is the
composition after (a) 1 h (b) after 10 years?
[University of Manchester]

7.98 Natural Uranium, as found on earth, consists of two isotopes in the ratio of 235 92
U/238 92 U = 0.7%. Assuming that these two isotopes existed in equal amounts at the
time the earth was formed; calculate the age of the earth. [Mean life times: 238 92 U =
6.52 × 109 years, 235 92 U = 1.02 × 109 years]
[University of Cambridge, Tripos 2004]

7.99 Calculate the activity (in Ci) of 2.0μg of 224ThX. ThX (T1/2 = 3.64 D)

7.100 Calculate the energy in calories absorbed by a 20 kg boy who has received a whole
body dose of 40 rad.

7.10 A small volume of solution, which contained a radioactive isotope of sodium had an
activity of 16,000 disintegrations per minute/cm3 when it was injected into the blood
stream of a patient. After 30 h, the activity of 1.0 cm3 of the blood was found to be
0.8 disintegrations per minute. If the half-life of the sodium isotope is taken as 15 h,
estimate the volume of the blood in the patient.