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 is the threshold frequency of a metal surface?

    • The frequency at which photoelectrons have maximum energy
    • The frequency of the most intense light
    • The lowest frequency of incident radiation that causes electron emission
    • The frequency at which the metal melts

  2. What is the work function of a metal?

    • The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons
    • The energy of one photon in the beam
    • The energy needed to ionise an atom
    • The minimum energy needed to remove an electron from its surface

  3. Which equation is the photoelectric equation?

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

  4. What does the photon explanation of the photoelectric effect state?

    • Each photon interacts with a single electron and transfers all its energy to it
    • Electron energy depends on the light intensity
    • Energy is absorbed gradually from many photons
    • Photons transfer energy only to electrons below the surface

  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. What happens if the intensity of light above threshold is increased?

    • The photocurrent decreases
    • The maximum kinetic energy increases only
    • The photocurrent increases but the maximum kinetic energy does not change
    • The threshold frequency is lowered

  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. A metal has work function 4.0 eV. Will light of wavelength 400 nm eject electrons from it?

    • Yes, with a kinetic energy of 0.9 eV
    • Yes, the electrons have zero kinetic energy
    • Yes, because the intensity compensates
    • No, the photon energy of 3.1 eV is below the work function

  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 is ultraviolet light used to demonstrate the photoelectric effect with a zinc plate?

    • UV light is more intense than visible light
    • UV light has a longer wavelength
    • Visible light is absorbed by the glass
    • Its frequency exceeds the threshold frequency of zinc

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

    • the threshold frequency
    • the work function
    • minus the work function
    • the Planck constant

  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 increasing light intensity not change the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons?

    • Intensity lowers the work function
    • Electrons absorb light gradually over time
    • Each photon keeps the same energy, and intensity only increases the number of photons
    • Intensity increases the photon energy

  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 of any intensity shines on a metal?

    • Electrons are emitted with zero kinetic energy
    • Electrons are emitted after a time delay
    • Electrons are emitted with maximum kinetic energy
    • No electrons are emitted

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