Grade 10 Physical Sciences · Waves, Sound and Light

Define photoelectric effect terms

Describe the photoelectric effect and define terms like threshold frequency, work function and photon.

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Threshold Frequency and Work Function Grade 12 Photoelectric EffectMiss Martins Maths and Science

Photoelectric effect Grade 12 | Part 1Kevinmathscience

Photoelectric Effect grade 12: Introduction and OverviewMiss Martins Maths and Science

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Question 10.1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

Light of different frequencies is incident on a metal plate. The sketch graph below shows the relationship between the maximum kinetic energy,

E_{k (ma x)}

, of the photoelectrons and the energy of the incident photons. Diagram for this question

10.1 Define the term work function of a metal.(2)

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More past paper questions: define photoelectric effect terms

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3. Question 10.1.1 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
10.1 Learners conduct an experiment to determine whether electrons will be emitted from the surface of different metals when light with a single frequency is incident on the metal. The maximum kinetic energy of emitted electrons are measured when light of frequency $1, 045 \times 1 0^{15}$ Hz is used.

The results obtained are shown in the table below.

Answer the questions that follow.
10.1.1 Define the term work function.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of work functionMinimum energy needed for the electrons to be emitted from the metal surface.
  2 marks · Define photoelectric effect terms
4. Question 10.1 · November 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
10.1 Define the term photoelectric effect.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of the photoelectric effectThe process whereby electrons are ejected from a metal surface when light (of suitable frequency) is incident/shining on that surface.
  2 marks · Define photoelectric effect terms
5. Question 10.1 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
10.1 Define the term photoelectric effect.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of the photoelectric effectThe process whereby electrons are ejected from a (metal) surface when light of suitable frequency is incident on that surface.
  2 marks · Define photoelectric effect terms
6. Question 10.2 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
In a photoelectric investigation, light of different frequencies was radiated on each of two metals, A and B. The graph of maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons from metal A and the frequency of the incident photons is shown below.

Point X on the graph represents an unknown maximum kinetic energy.
10.2 Define the term work function.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of work functionThe minimum energy needed to eject an electron from a (metal) surface.
  2 marks · Define photoelectric effect terms

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