The diagram below shows the line spectrum of a gas.

Explain how line spectra are produced. In your answer you should describe:

• how the collisions of charged particles with gas atoms can cause the atoms to emit
photons.

• how spectral lines are explained by the concept of discrete energy levels.
(Total 6 marks)

(a) What phenomenon can be used to demonstrate the wave properties of electrons?
2
___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Calculate the wavelength of electrons travelling at a speed of 2.5 × 105 ms–1.

Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

wavelength ____________________ m
(3)

(c) Calculate the speed of muons with the same wavelength as these electrons.

mass of muon = 207 × mass of electron

speed ____________________ ms–1

(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 1 of 24
 (a) State what is meant by the wave-particle duality of electrons.
3
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Electrons of wavelength 1.2 × 10–10 m are required to investigate the spacing between
planes of atoms in a crystal.

(i) Calculate the momentum of an electron of this wavelength stating an appropriate unit.

momentum of electron = ____________________

(3)

(ii) Calculate the speed of such an electron.

speed of electron = ____________________ m s–1

(2)

(iii) Calculate the kinetic energy of such an electron.

kinetic energy of electron = ____________________ J

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 2 of 24
 The Bohr model of a hydrogen atom assumes that an electron e is in a circular orbit around a
4 proton P. The model is shown schematically in Figure 1.

Figure 1

In the ground state the orbit has a radius of 5.3 × 10–11 m. At this separation the electron is
attracted to the proton by a force of 8.1 × 10–8 N.

(a) State what is meant by the ground state.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) (i) Show that the speed of the electron in this orbit is about 2.2 × 106 m s–1.
mass of an electron = 9.1 × 10–31 k g

(ii) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron travelling at this speed.

Planck constant = 6.6 × 10–34 J s

(iii) How many waves of this wavelength fit the circumference of the electron orbit? Show
your reasoning.
(7)

Page 3 of 24
(c) The quantum theory suggests that the electron in a hydrogen atom can only exist in certain
well-defined energy states. Some of these are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

An electron E of energy 2.5 × 10–18 J collides with a hydrogen atom that is in its ground
state and excites the electron in the hydrogen atom to the n = 3 level.

Calculate

(i) the energy that is needed to excite an electron in the hydrogen atom from the ground
state to the n = 3 level,

(ii) the kinetic energy of the incident electron E after the collision,

(iii) the wavelength of the lowest energy photon that could be emitted as the excited
electron returns to the ground state.
speed of electromagnetic radiation = 3.0 × 108 m s–1
(5)
(Total 13 marks)

Page 4 of 24
 (a) The mercury atoms in a fluorescent tube are excited and then emit photons in the
5 ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

(i) Explain how the mercury atoms become excited.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(ii) Explain how the excited mercury atoms emit photons.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Explain how the ultraviolet photons in the tube are converted into photons in the visible part
of the electromagnetic spectrum.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 5 of 24
 The diagram below shows how the maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted from the
6 cathode of a photoelectric cell varies with the frequency of the incident radiation.

(a) Calculate the maximum wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that can release
photoelectrons from the cathode surface.

Speed of electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum = 3.0 × 108 m s–1

(3)

Page 6 of 24
 (b) Another photoelectric cell uses a different metal for the photocathode. This metal requires
twice the minimum energy for electron release compared to the metal in the first cell.

(i) Draw a line on the diagram to show the graph you would expect to obtain for this
second cell.
(1)

(ii) Explain your answer with reference to the Einstein photoelectric equation.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

(a) Describe what occurs in the photoelectric effect.

7
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 7 of 24
(b) Violet light of wavelength 380 nm is incident on a potassium surface.

Deduce whether light of this wavelength can cause the photoelectric effect when incident
on the potassium surface.

work function of potassium = 2.3 eV

(4)

(c) The photoelectric effect provides evidence for light possessing particle properties.

State and explain one piece of evidence that suggests that light also possesses wave
properties.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 8 of 24
 The photoelectric effect can be demonstrated by illuminating a negatively charged plate, made
8 from certain metals, with ultraviolet (UV) light and showing that the plate loses its charge.

(a) Explain why, when ultraviolet light is shone on a positively charged plate, no charge is lost
by the plate.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Threshold frequency and work function are important ideas in the study of the photoelectric
effect.

Tables 1 and 2 summarise the work functions of three metals and photon energies of three
UV light sources.

Table 1

Metal Work function /

eV

Zinc 4.3

Iron 4.5

Copper 4.7

Table 2

Light source Photon energy /

eV

1 4.0

2 4.4

3 5.0

Page 9 of 24
 Discuss the combinations of metal and UV light source that could best be used to
demonstrate the idea of threshold frequency and the idea of work function.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)

(c) Calculate the maximum kinetic energy, in J, of the electrons emitted from a zinc plate when
illuminated with ultraviolet light.

work function of zinc = 4.3 eV

frequency of ultraviolet light = 1.2 × 1015 Hz

maximum kinetic energy ____________________ J

(3)

(d) Explain why your answer is a maximum.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 10 of 24
 Figure 1 shows a photocell which uses the photoelectric effect to provide a current in an external
9 circuit.

Figure 1

(a) Electromagnetic radiation is incident on the photoemissive surface.

Explain why there is a current only if the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is
above a certain value.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) State and explain the effect on the current when the intensity of the electromagnetic
radiation is increased.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 11 of 24
(c) A student investigates the properties of the photocell. The student uses a source of
electromagnetic radiation of fixed frequency and observes that there is a current in the
external circuit.
The student then connects a variable voltage supply so the positive terminal is connected
to the electrode with a photoemissive surface and the negative terminal is connected to the
wire electrode. As the student increases the supply voltage, the current decreases and
eventually becomes zero. The minimum voltage at which this happens is called the
stopping potential. The student’s new circuit is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

The photoemissive surface has a work function of 2.1 eV. The frequency of the
electromagnetic radiation the student uses is 7.23 × 1014 Hz.

Calculate the maximum kinetic energy, in J, of the electrons emitted from the
photoemissive surface.

maximum kinetic energy = ____________________ J

(3)

Page 12 of 24
 (d) Use your answer from part (c) to calculate the stopping potential for the photoemissive
surface.

stopping potential = ____________________ V

(1)

(e) The student increases the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation.

Explain the effect this has on the stopping potential.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

In an experiment to demonstrate the photoelectric effect, a charged metal plate is illuminated with
10 light from different sources. The plate loses its charge when an ultraviolet light source is used but
not when a red light source is used.

What is the reason for this?

A The intensity of the red light is too low.

B The wavelength of the red light is too short.

C The frequency of the red light is too high.

D The energy of red light photons is too small.

(Total 1 mark)

Page 13 of 24
 Which of the following classes of electromagnetic waves will not ionise neutral atoms?
11
What is the reason for this?

A ultraviolet

B X radiation

C gamma radiation

D microwave

(Total 1 mark)

The values of the lowest three energy levels in a particular atom are shown in the table.
12
The diagram shows these levels together with the ground state of the atom.

When an electron moves from level 3 to level 1, radiation of frequency 6.2 × 1014 Hz is emitted.

What is the frequency of the radiation emitted when an electron moves from level 2 to level 1?

A 2.3 × 1014 Hz

B 3.5 × 1014 Hz

C 4.6 × 1014 Hz

D 8.3 × 1014 Hz

(Total 1 mark)

Page 14 of 24
 Experiments on which of the following suggested the wave nature of electrons?
13

A electron diffraction by a crystalline material

B β− decay

C line spectra of atoms

D the photoelectric effect

(Total 1 mark)

Electrons and protons in two beams are travelling at the same speed. The beams are diffracted
14 by objects of the same size.

Which correctly compares the de Broglie wavelength λe of the electrons with the de Broglie
wavelength λp of the protons and the width of the diffraction patterns that are produced by these
beams?

comparison of de diffraction pattern

Broglie
wavelength

A λe > λp electron beam width > proton beam width

B λe < λp electron beam width > proton beam width

C λe > λp electron beam width < proton beam width

D λe < λp electron beam width < proton beam width

(Total 1 mark)

Page 15 of 24
Mark schemes

Page 16 of 24
 The mark scheme gives some guidance as to what statements are expected to be seen in
1 a 1 or 2 mark (L1), 3 or 4 mark (L2) and 5 or 6 mark (L3) answer. Guidance provided in
section 3.10 of the ‘ Mark Scheme Instructions’ document should be used to assist in
marking this question.

Level Criteria QoWC

L3 Good discussion of both elements in The student presents relevant

5−6 marks question with at least 4 points information coherently, employing
mentioned in each element structure, style and sp&g to render
meaning clear. The text is legible.

L2 Good discussion with at least 3 The student presents relevant

3−4 marks points in one element and 2 points in information and in a way which
the other element assists the communication of
meaning. The text is legible. Sp&g
are sufficiently accurate not to
obscure meaning.

L1 Discussion of one element only The student presents some relevant

1−2 marks incorporating at least two points. information in a simple form. The text
is usually legible. Sp&g allow
meaning to be derived although
errors are sometimes obstructive.

0 Unsupported combination or no The student’s presentation, spelling,

relevant analysis punctuation and grammar seriously
obstruct understanding.

Collisions
• Energy from collision of charged particles transfers to
electrons in gas molecules.
• Electrons excited to higher energy levels.
• The more energy the electrons absorb the higher the energy
levels reached.
• Electrons are unstable at higher energy levels so will fall back
down.
• When it falls down it will emit a photon.
Formation of spectral lines
• Photon energy = hf/ or photon energy proportional to
frequency.
• Spectral lines are at specific wavelengths.
• Each spectral line corresponds to an electron falling down to a
lower energy state.
• Energy gap, ΔE = hc/λ
• Larger energy gap means higher energy photon is emitted so
shorter wavelength or vice versa.
Responses with no mention of photons are likely to receive zero
marks.

Page 17 of 24
 6
[6]

(a) (electron) diffraction / interference / superposition ✓

2
Accept derfraction
1

(b) (use of λ = h / mv)

λ = 6.63 × 10-34 / (9.11 × 10-31×2.5×105) ✓
λ = 2.9 × 10-9m ✓ ✓ (2 sig figs.)
3

(c) v = 2.5 × 105 / 207 ✓

v = 1200 m s-1 ✓
OR use v = h / mλ with CE from part (b)
Answer alone gets 2 marks
2
[6]

(a) electrons can have wavelike properties and particle like properties (1)
3 1

(b) (i) (use of λ = h/mv)

mv = 6.63 × 10–34/1.2 × 10–10 (1)

mv = 5.5 × 10–24 (1) kg m s–1 (1) (or Ns)

(ii) v = 5.5 × 10–24/9.11 × 10–31 (1)

v = 6.1 × 106 m s–1 (1)

(iii) (use of E = ½mv2)

E = ½ × 9.11 × 10–31 × (6.1 × 106)2 (1) (must see working

or equation)

E = 1.6(9) × 10–17 J (1) (no working max 1)

7
[8]

(a) lowest energy state/level that the electron can occupy

4
or state in which electron needs most energy to be released

B1
1

or the level of an unexcited electron (not lowest orbit)

Page 18 of 24
(b) (i) force = mv2/r or mrω2 and v = rω

B1

8.1 × 10−8 = 9.1 × 10−31 × v2/5.3 × 10−11

or (v2 =) 4.72 × 1012 seen

B1

2.17 × 106 (m s−1)

B1

(ii) λ = h/mv or 6.6 × 10−34/9.1 × 10−31 × 2.2 × 106

C1
7

3.3 × 10−10 m

A1

(iii) circumference = 2π5.3 × 10−11 = 3.3 × 10−10 m

M1

1 (allow e.c.f. from (ii))

A1

(c) (i) 1.9(4) × 10−18 J

B1

(ii) 5.6 × 10−19 J (e.c.f. 2.5 × 10−18 − their (i))

B1

(iii) energy difference E = 3 × 10−19 J

(condone any difference)

C1

E = hc/λ or E = hf and c=fλ

or their E = 6.6 × 10−34 × 3.0 × 108/λ

C1

6.6 or 6.7 × 10−7 m

A1
5
[13]

Page 19 of 24
 (a) (i) electrons passing through tube collide with electrons in mercury atom ✔
5
Allow mercury atoms collide with each other
transferring energy / atom gains energy from a collision ✔
causing orbital electrons / electrons in mercury atom to move to higher
energy level ✔
Atomic electrons move from ground state
3

(ii) (each) excited electron / atom relaxes to a lower (energy) level ✔

allow excited electron / atom de-excites / relaxes
Allow excited electron / atom relaxes to ground state
Condone moves for relaxes
emitting a photon of energy equal to the energy difference between the levels ✔
2

(b) coating absorb (uv) photons (causing excitation) / (uv)photons collide with electrons in the
coating (causing excitation) / electrons in coating are excited
allow atoms in coating absorb (uv) photons (causing excitation)
Atomic electrons de-excite indirectly to previous lower level (and in doing so emit lower
energy photons) ✔
Owtte (must convey smaller difference between energy levels in a
transition) cascade
2
[7]

(a) Use of 4 × 1014

6
C1

Use of c = fλ

C1

7.5 × 10–7 m

A1
3

(b) line parallel to first intersecting x-axis at twice threshold freq

B1

(i) gradient is h so unchanged

B1

(ii) intersection with x-axis is double because

hf = φ at zero ke for e–

B1
3
[6]

Page 20 of 24
 (a) Photons of light incident on the metal surface cause the emission of electrons ✔
7
The electrons emitted are those near the surface of the metal✔
2

(b) Use of = hc / λ condone errors in powers of 10✔

5.2 × 10−19J✔

Converts their energy in J to eV or work function to J

photon energy = 3.3 eV or work function = 3.7 × 10−19J✔

Compares the two values and draws conclusion✔

4

(c) Diffraction effects (spreading of light) when light passes through a single slit

OR

interference patterns (light and dark fringes) using two slits or diffraction grating✔

Only waves diffract and interfere✔

2
[8]

(a) The process involves the ejection of electrons which are negatively charged. ✓
8 1

Any electrons ejected will only make the positive charge greater. ✓
1

Page 21 of 24
(b) The mark scheme gives some guidance as to what statements are expected to
be seen in a 1 or 2 mark (L1), 3 or 4 mark (L2) and 5 or 6 mark (L3) answer.
Guidance provided in section 3.10 of the ‘ Mark Scheme Instructions’ document
should be used to assist in marking this question.

Mark Criteria QoWC

6 Both ideas fully The student presents

analysed, with full relevant information
discussion of coherently, employing
alternatives. structure, style and
sp&g to render meaning
5 Both ideas analysed clear. The text is legible.
with supporting
discussion but without
alternatives

4 Both ideas analysed, The student presents

with one dealt with relevant information and
satisfactorily and the in a way which assists
other with some the communication of
supporting discussion meaning. The text is
legible. Sp&g are
3 Both ideas analysed, sufficiently accurate not
with only one dealt with to obscure meaning.
satisfactorily

2 One idea analysed with The student presents

some supporting some relevant
discussion information in a simple
form. The text is usually
legible. Sp&g allow
1 One idea analysed, with
meaning to be derived
little supporting
although errors are
discussion
sometimes obstructive.

0 Unsupported The student’s

combination or no presentation, spelling,
relevant analysis punctuation and
grammar seriously
obstruct understanding.

The following statements are likely to be present.

To demonstrate threshold frequency:
The metal should be kept the same, and the light source varied.
Using any metal, and light sources 1 and 3,
no charge will be lost with light source 1
but charge will be lost with light source 3
because light source three has a greater photon energy
and therefore frequency (from E=hf)
and is above the threshold frequency
as the photon energy is greater than the work function of the metal

Page 22 of 24
 but light source 1 has a photon energy less than the work function
of the metal
so its frequency is below the threshold frequency.
To demonstrate work function
The light source should be kept the same, and the metal varied
Use light source 2 as the other two will either cause all three metals
to lose their charge, or none of the metals to lose their charge.
Use each metal in turn, so that zinc loses its charge, due to its low
work function, but copper and iron do not lose their charge.
6

(c) Work function in joules = 1.6 x 10-19 x 4.3 = 6.9 x 10-19 J ✓

The first mark is for converting the work function into J
1

Use of hf = work function + KEmax

The second mark is for substituting into the photoelectric equation
1

KEmax = hf – work function

= (6.63 x 10-34) x (1.2 x 1015) + 6.9 x 10-19 ✓
= 7.9 x 10-19 – 6.9 x 10-19
= 1.0 x 10-19 J ✓
The third mark is for the final answer
Allow 1.1
1

(d) The work function is the minimum amount of energy needed to remove the electron
from the zinc surface ✓
Alternative
Reference to max ke corresponding to emission of surface
electrons whilst electrons from deeper in the metal will be emitted
with smaller ke
1
[12]

(a) energy of photon ✔

9 1
is greater than the work function ✔
1
so electrons are emitted ✔
1
if correct reference to threshold frequency and no mention of work
function then only score one of first two marks and can be awarded
third mark

Page 23 of 24
 (b) increased intensity means more photons incident per second ✔
only need to see per second once
1
current greater OR more electrons emitted per second ✔
rate of photons incident OK (or rate of electrons emitted)
1

(c) (use of hf = ∅ + Ek)

∅ = 2.1 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 3.36 × 10−19 ✔(J)
if incorrect or no conversion to J then CE for next two marks
1
Ek = 6.63 × 10−34 × 7.23 × 1014 − 3.36 × 10−19
1
Ek = 1.4(3) × 10–19 ✔(J)
1

(d) (use of eV = Ek)

Vs = 1.43 × 10−19 /1.6 × 10−19 = 0.89 (V) ✔
CE from 05.3
RANGE 0.70 – 0.90
1

(e) stopping potential would be greater ✔

1
because the energy of the photons (of the electromagnetic
radiation) would be greater ✔
1
(hence) maximum kinetic energy of (photo)electrons would be greater ✔
1
[12]

D
10
[1]

D
11
[1]

C
12
[1]

A
13
[1]

A
14
[1]

Page 24 of 24