*

AP PHYSICS B

Atomic and Wave/Particle Physics

Teacher Packet

AP* is a trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board. The College Entrance Examination Board was not
involved in the production of this material.
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 Atomic and Wave/Particle Physics

Objective
To review the student on the concepts, processes and problem solving strategies necessary to
successfully answer questions on atomic and nuclear physics.

Standards
Atomic and nuclear physics is addressed in the topic outline of the College Board AP* Physics
Course Description Guide as described below.

V. Atomic and Nuclear Physics

A. Atomic physics and quantum effects

1. Photons, the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, x-rays
2. Atomic energy levels
3. Wave-particle duality
B. Nuclear physics
1. Nuclear reactions (including conservation of mass number and charge)
2. Mass-energy equivalence

AP Physics Exam Connections

Topics relating to atomic physics, quantum effects, and nuclear physics are tested every year on
the multiple choice and virtually every year on the free response portion of the exam. The list
below identifies free response questions that have been previously asked over atomic and nuclear
physics. These questions are available from the College Board and can be downloaded free of
charge from AP Central. http://apcentral.collegeboard.com.

Free Response Questions

2008 Question 7 2008 Form B Question 7
2007 Question 7 2007 Form B Question 7
2006 Question 6 2006 Form B Question 6
2005 Question 7 2005 Form B Question 7
2004 Question 6 2004 Form B Question 6
2003 Question 7 2003 Form B Question 7
2002 Question 7 2002 Form B Question 7
2000 Question 5

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

What I Absolutely Have to Know to Survive the AP* Exam

• Determine the frequency, wavelength, momentum or energy of a photon (the smallest particle of
light).
• Apply the photoelectric effect, in which the absorption of photons of a certain frequency causes
electrons to be emitted from a metal surface.
• Understand the Compton effect which verifies the photon nature of light by showing that
momentum is conserved in a collision between a photon and an electron.
• Determine the de Broglie wavelength for particles, such as electrons, that exhibit wave properties.
• Determine the binding energy in the nucleus as a result of some of the mass of the particles (the
mass defect) in the nucleus being converted into energy by using ΔE = ( Δm ) c 2 .

Key Formulas and Relationships

hc
E = hf = Energy of a photon, where h is Planck's constant (6.63 ×10 −34 J is or 4.14 ×10 −15ev is), f is the
λ
frequency of the light, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength. (Note that the frequency
of the light is independent of the medium.)

E hf h
p= = = Momentum of a photon (Note that photons have no rest mass, but do possess momentum).
c c λ

K max = hf − φ Einstein's photoelectric equation relates the energy of the incident photon to the maximum kinetic
energy of the ejected electron and the work function of the photoemissive surface.

φ = hf 0 Work function of a photoemissive surface where f 0 is the threshold frequency (minimum frequency
of light to initiate photo electron emission from the surface).

h
λ= de Broglie wavelength where λ is the wavelength associated with a particle of momentum, p.
p

E0 − E f
f = Photon frequency of emitted light when an electron makes a transition to an orbit with a lower energy
h
level, from one of higher energy, E0 to E f .

ΔE = ( Δm ) c 2 Change in the energy of a system, ΔE is related to the change in mass, Δm of that system (mass energy
equivalence).

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

Important Concepts

• Electrons

In 1897, JJ Thomson investigated cathode rays and determined they were beams of negatively charged particles. He
measured the mass to charge ratio of the cathode rays by measuring how much they were deflected by a magnetic
field and how much energy they carried. He called the particles that made up the cathode ray “corpuscles,” but the
name did not stick and today we call these negatively charged particles, electrons.
Later, Robert Millikan used an atomizer to create tiny drops of oil that were given a charge and allowed to fall
between two charged plates. The mass of the drop was calculated by the rate at which it fell when the electric field
was turned off. The electric field was then switched on and by adjusting the voltage, the drop could be made to rise,
fall, or stay steady. The voltage needed to keep the drop steady is directly related to the amount of charge on the drop
(the downward gravitational force is balanced by the upward electric force). Millikan found that the amount of charge
was always a whole number multiple of 1.6 × 10 −19 C , which he reasoned was the fundamental electric charge.
Coupling the charge of the electron with Thomson’s mass to charge ratio, the mass of the electron could now be
determined as 9.11× 10−31 kg .
• Photons

One of the conundrums facing physicists in the early 1900’s was the spectrum of blackbody radiation. A blackbody is
an object that radiates light, but does not reflect it. As a black body was heated, light at different frequencies was
generated. It was noted that at each temperature there was a specific wavelength that was most intense. As the
temperature increased, the curve became more peaked with a shorter width as seen in the diagram below. In addition,
the maximum value of the peak moved to a shorter wavelength as the temperature increased. Classical wave theory
could not explain the observed energy distribution.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

Planck suggested that energy is radiated in discrete packets or bundles called quanta rather than a
smooth continuum of values. This assumption worked and indicated that light was emitted from the hot
blackbodies in discrete amounts like particles instead of waves.

The energy of a thermal oscillator is not continuous, but is a discrete quantity.

E = nhf where n=1,2,3,...
Einstein extended this idea by adding that all emitted radiation is quantized. He averred that light is composed of
discrete quanta called photons, rather than waves. Thus each photon has an energy given by E = hf where h
represents Plank’s constant (6.63 × 10−34 J is or 4.14 × 10−15evis) and f the frequency. According to Einstein, photons
travel at the speed of light in vacuum and have no rest mass, but they do acquire momentum. Hence for photons, their
h
momentum is found by using p = and not p = mv . The energy of a photon is given by the equations below.
λ
E = hf
c= fλ
hc
E= = pc
λ

o Photoelectric Effect

In the figure above, two metal plates (electrodes) are placed in a vacuum tube and connected to a voltage source.
Electrons flow from the negative cathode to the positive anode. If photons of the right frequency strike the metal
plate, then electrons are ejected from the cathode and pulled across to the anode. The current may be measured with
an ammeter. This is called the photoelectric effect. The voltage may be reversed to stop the flow of electrons. This
applied voltage is called the stopping voltage and is related to the KE of the electrons, such that KEmax = qVstop .

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The kinetic energy, K, of an ejected electron displaced by a photon of energy hf is given by:
K max = hf − φ

where the work function φ is the minimum energy needed to free an electron from a photoemissive surface like a
metal. No photoemission occurs if the frequency of the incident light is below a certain threshold frequency given by:
φ
f0 =
h

Einstein’s theory explained several aspects of the photoelectric effect that could not be explained by the classical
theory.
o The kinetic energy of the photon is dependent on the light’s frequency.
o No photoemission occurs for light below a certain threshold frequency.
o Current flows immediately when the light’s frequency is greater than the threshold frequency.

• If a graph of kinetic energy of the ejected electrons versus the frequency of the photons is plotted, then it can be
seen that

o The slope of the graph is Planck’s constant.

o All metals (photoemissive surfaces) have the same slope.
o The threshold frequency is the x intercept, below which no electrons are emitted.
o Different metals have different threshold frequencies.
o The work function is the negative y intercept.
o Different metals have different work functions.
o The threshold frequency for any metal is the work function divided by Planck’s constant.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

• Example I

Light is shined on a photoemissive surface of work function φ = 2.0 eV and electrons are released with a
kinetic energy KEmax = 4.0 eV.

A. What voltage, called the stopping voltage Vstop, would be necessary to stop the emission of electrons?

Stopping the emission of electrons requires

work equal to the maximum kinetic energy 1 point For the correct equation for
of the electrons; thus, it would take 4.0 V to finding the stopping voltage.
stop electrons with a kinetic energy of 4.0
eV.

KEmax = W = qeVstop 1 point For correct substitution of the

maximum kinetic energy.

KEmax ( 4.0 eV ) (1.6 x10 J/eV )

−19

Vstop = =
qe 1.6 x10−19 C 1 point For the correct answer with units.

Vstop = 4.0 Volts

B. Determine the energy of each of the incoming photons in electron volts (eV) and Joules
(J).

E photons = KEmax + φ 1 point For a correct equation for the

photoelectric effect.

E photons = 4.0 eV + 2.0 eV 1 point For the correct substitution for

the work function.
E photons = 6.0 eV
1 point For the correct answer with units
for electron volts.
6.0 eV (1.6 x10−19 J/eV ) = 9.6 x10−19 J
1 point For the correct answer with units
for Joules.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

C. Determine the frequency of the incoming photons in Hertz (Hz).

E photon 1 point For the correct equation for the

f = energy of a photon.
h
9.6 x10−19 J
f = 1 point For the correct energy in Joules
6.6 x10−34 J /Hz or consistent with part B.
f = 1.5 x1015 Hz
1 point For the correct answer with units.

• Compton effect:

Photons impart momentum to subatomic particles in collisions that follow the laws of conservation of momentum and
energy. Compton aimed x-rays of a certain frequency at electrons, and when they collided and scattered, the x-rays
were measured to have a lower frequency or higher wavelength indicating less energy and momentum. The scattered
photon did not appear to change speed during the collision, but rather changed its frequency. The scattering of x-ray
photons from an electron with a loss in energy of the x-ray photon is called the Compton effect. Thus photons may act
as both particles and as waves depending upon the situation.

h
λ′ − λ = (1 − cos θ ) where λ ′ is the wavelength of a photon after being scattered
me c
by a collision with an electron, λ is the wavelength of the photon
before being scattered, h is Planck's constant, me is the mass of the electron,
c is the speed of light and θ is the angle by which the photon's heading changes
(between 0° and 180°).

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

• Wave-Particle Duality

Louis de Broglie suggested that if light can behave as a particle, then possibly a particle, like an electron could behave
like a wave. The de Broglie wavelength of a particle is related to Planck’s constant and the momentum of the particle.

h h
λ= =
mv p

Note that objects with very large masses, will have very small wavelengths and thus behave like particles. As masses
approach smaller values, however, such as the mass of an electron, the wavelengths can become very noticeable. This
is true because Planck’s constant is so small. In 1927, Davisson and Germer experimentally verified de Broglie’s
hypothesis. They studied the diffraction of electrons by a nickel crystal and showed that the wavelength of a diffracted
beam of electrons corresponded to the de Broglie wavelength.

• Energy Levels

Niels Bohr proposed that the electrons in the atom existed in certain discrete energy levels. The quantized energy
level model explained the stability of atoms and the absorption and emission spectra from atoms. The major features
of quantized energy levels include:

o Electron orbits are only allowed at certain distances from the nucleus, not in between. While in these allowed
orbits or levels, the electrons will emit no light.

o Electrons only emit light if they make a transition from a higher level to a lower level. The photon energy of
the emitted light will account for the energy difference between the two levels. The position of the electron
becomes more stable.

o Electrons can absorb photon energies but only if the energy is the exact amount needed to raise the electron
from a lower level to a higher level. The electron is said to be in an excited state when it absorbs energy and
the stability of its position decreases.

o The ground state or first level, n=1, is the level closest to the nucleus. An electron in this state is firmly
attached to the atom.

o The last level or n = ∞ , the electron is now free and no longer bound to the atom.

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• Example II

The electron energy levels for a mercury atom are shown below.
E=0

E4 = - 4.95 eV

E3 = -5.52 eV
E2 = -5.74 eV

E1 = - 10.38 eV

A. An electron in the ground state absorbs a photon which causes the electron to be raised to the second
energy level. Determine the following for the absorbed photon.
i. wavelength

ii. frequency

i. 1 point For a correct equation for energy

absorbed by photon

E = E2 − E1 = −5.74 eV − ( −10.38 eV ) = 4.64 eV 1 point For the correct value for E

1 point For a correct equation for

calculating the wavelength of the photon
hc 1240 eV nm
λ= = = 267.24 nm = 2.67 x10−7 m
E 4.64 eV 1 point For the correct answer with units

1 point For a correct equation for the

frequency of the photon
ii.
c 3.00 x108 m/s
f = = = 1.12 x1015 Hz
λ 2.67 x10−7 m 1 point For the correct answer with units

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B. State whether or not the absorbed photon is in the visible range. Explain your answer.

This photon is not in the visible range of 1 point For the correct answer, based on
wavelengths, which is 400 nm to 700 nm. answer in A(i).

1 point For stating that the visible range

is approximately 400 nm to 700 nm.

C. The electron absorbs a second photon of energy 10.00 eV while it is in the second energy level of
the atom. Find the kinetic energy for the electron after it absorbs the 10.00 eV photon.

1 point For subtracting 5.74 eV from

KE = 10.00 eV − 5.74 eV = 4.26eV 10.00 eV.
KE = 6.82 x10−19 J
1 point For a correct answer with units,
either eV or J.

• Nuclear Physics

A nucleus is composed of two types of nucleons called protons and neutrons. The atomic number, denoted by Z is
the number of protons and defines what kind of element it is. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to
the number of protons. If electrons are gained or lost, then the resulting particle is an ion of that element. The
atomic mass number, denoted by A is the number of protons and neutrons. N is the number of neutrons, such that
A=Z+N. Atoms that have the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons are known as isotopes.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

• Mass Defect

The nitrogen atom 147 N is composed of 7 protons and 7 neutrons, which gives a total of 14 atomic mass
units (u). But if these particles are combined into a 147 N nitrogen nucleus, the resulting mass of the
nitrogen nucleus is 14.003074 u. The sum of the masses of the protons and neutrons is

7(1.007 825 u) = 7.054775 u

7(1.008 665 u) = 7.060655 u
14.115430 u

Notice that when we add the mass of the nucleons and compare it to the mass of the nucleus, we find that some of
the mass is missing. This is called the mass defect, Δm .

Δm = mass of protons + mass of neutrons - mass of nucleus

Δm = 14.115430 u − 14.003074 u = 0.112356 u

Einstein discovered that mass could be converted into energy and energy into mass. The missing mass is a form of
energy that may be released if the nucleus is pulled apart. The missing energy is called binding energy and
represents the amount of energy that must be supplied in order to break the nucleus into its individual protons and
neutrons. Conversely it is the amount of energy released when the nucleus is formed from individual protons and
neutrons. Thus the binding energy of the nitrogen nucleus is

⎛ 1.6605 × 10−27 kg ⎞
ΔE = ( Δm ) c 2 = ⎜ 0.112356 u ⎟ ( 2.997 ×10 m / s )
8 2

⎝ 1u ⎠
−11
ΔE = 1.68 × 10 J

This does not seem like a lot of energy, but remember it is for just one atom. The process of making a mole of
nitrogen atoms releases a great deal of energy.

⎛ 1.68 ×10−11 J ⎞⎛ 6.022 ×1023 atoms ⎞

E =⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ = 1.01×10 J
13

⎝ atom ⎠⎝ mole ⎠

• Nuclear Reactions

In any nuclear reaction the following are true:

o Conservation of charge: the total atomic number before the reaction must be the same as the total atomic
number after the reaction.

o Conservation of nucleon number: the total atomic mass before the reaction must be the same as the total
atomic mass after the reaction.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

• Radioactive Decay

There are four types of particles that can be emitted when an element undergoes radioactive decay.

92 U → z X + 2 He An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

o Alpha decay 238 A 4

When an element emits an alpha particle, its nucleus loses 2 atomic numbers and 4 mass numbers, and thus
changes into another element, called the daughter element.

o Beta decay 146 C → ZA X + −10 e Beta decay is really just a neutron emitting an electron and becoming a proton.
Thus, the daughter element resulting from beta decay is one atomic number higher than the parent nucleus, but
the mass number essentially does not change.

o Gamma decay ZA X * → ZA X + photon The excited nucleus emits a gamma photon when it relaxes, so only the
energy of the nucleus changes and there is no change for A nor Z.

o Positron decay ZA X → Z −A1Y + +10 e + 00ν A positron is exactly like an electron except for the fact that it is
positively charged. Positron decay equations are typically not included on the AP Physics B exam.

• Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is when an atomic nuclei splits into two or more pieces. Fission is usually caused artificially by
shooting a slow neutron at a large atom such as uranium which absorbs the neutron and splits into two smaller atoms,
along with the release of more neutrons and some energy.

235
92U + 01n → 140
54 Xe + 38 Sr + 2 0 n + 160 MeV
94 1

Since the reaction produces two new neutrons, these can be used to split new Uranium nuclei (4, 8, 16, 32, etc.) in an
uncontrolled chain reaction. A controlled chain reaction can be obtained if the number of neutrons can cause a new
fission with a multiplication factor of one.

• Nuclear Fusion

Fusion occurs when small nuclei combine into larger nuclei and energy is released. 13 H + 12 H → 24 He + 01n

Note that the sum of the atomic numbers on the left must equal the sum of the atomic numbers on the right. The same
is true of the mass numbers.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

Free Response
Question 1 (15 pts)

A. Electrons in the ground state of a gas are excited to the n = 3 energy level as
shown in the Energy Level diagram above. What are the energies of all the possible
photons that could be emitted by this gas?

(4 points max) 1 point for a correct equation for the

energy emitted by a photon
E = E0 − E f
1 point for the correct answer with units
E = −1eV − (−10eV ) = 9 eV
9 eV
E = −4eV − (−10eV ) = 6 eV
E = −1eV − (−4eV ) = 3 eV 1 point for the correct answer with units
6 eV

1 point for the correct answer with units

3 eV

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

B. Determine the possible wavelengths for the emitted photons.

(5 points max) 1 point for a correct equation for

calculating the wavelength of the photon
hc
λ= 1 point for correct values of E or answers
E
1240eVnm consistent with part A
λ= = 138 nm
9eV 1 point for correct answer with units 138
1240eVnm
λ= = 207 nm nm
6eV
1240eVnm 1 point for correct answer with units 207
λ= = 413 nm nm
3eV
1 point for correct answer with units 413
nm

C. State whether or not any of the emitted photons are in the visible range. Justify
your answer.

(2 points max) 1 point for the correct answer based on

part B
The emitted photon of wavelength 413 nm is
in the visible range, since the visible range is 1 point for stating that the visible range
approximately 400 nm to 700 nm. is approximately 400 nm to 700 nm

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

D. Determine the frequency of the absorbed photons that caused the electrons to be
excited to the third energy level.

(4 points max) 1 point for a correct equation for the

energy absorbed by the photon
E = E0 − E f = −1eV − ( −10eV ) = 9 eV
1 point for the correct value of E
E = hf
⎛ 1.6 ×10−19 J ⎞ 1 point for the correct equation for the
( 9eV ) ⎜ ⎟ frequency of a photon
f =
E
= ⎝ eV ⎠ = 2.17 ×1015 Hz
h ( 6.63 ×10 J is )
−34
1 point for the correct answer with units
Alternate solution
hc 1240eV inm
λ= = = 138 nm
E 9eV
c 3.0 × 108 m / s
f = = = 2.17 × 1015 Hz
λ 1.38 ×10−7 m

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

Question 2 (15 pts)

Kinetic Energy versus frequency

Light is shined on a photoemissive surface. The graph above shows the maximum kinetic
energy of each electron ( ×10−20 J ) versus the frequency of the incoming light
( ×1014 Hz ).

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

A. On the graph above, draw the line that is your estimate of the best straight-line fit
to the data points.

(2 points max) 1 point for at least one point above and

one point below the best fit line

1 point for a straight line that intersects

the x axis between 4 × 1014 Hz and
5 × 1014 Hz

B. Using your graph, find a value for Planck’s constant, and briefly explain how you
found the value.

(3 points max) 1 point for recognition that Planck’s

constant is the slope of the best fit line
Planck’s constant is equal to the slope of the
graph. Choose two points on the best fit line 1 point for picking two points off the
to find the slope. best fit line
( 5 ×1014 Hz, 2 ×10−20 J ) 1 point for a reasonable value for
(8 ×10 14
Hz , 21× 10 −20
J) Planck’s constant with correct units and a

ΔKE ( 21× 10 J − 2 × 10 J )
−20 −20 reasonable margin of error
h = slope = =
Δf (8 ×1014 Hz − 5 ×1014 Hz )
h = 6.33 ×10−34 J is

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

C. From the graph, estimate the threshold frequency of the photoemissive surface.

(2 points max)
The threshold frequency is the x intercept, 1 point for recognition that the
where the graph crosses the frequency axis. threshold frequency is the x intercept
From the graph, f0 = 4.6 x 1014 Hz.
1 point for correct answer within a
reasonable margin of error

D. Determine the work function of the photoemissive surface.

(2 points max)
φ = hf 0 1 point for using the threshold
φ = ( 6.63 ×10−34 J i s )( 4.6 ×1014 Hz )
frequency for calculating the work
function or for recognition that the
φ = 3.0 ×10−19 J or 1.9 eV work function is the negative y
The work function can be found by intercept
extending the graph and finding the
negative y intercept. 1 point for correct answer with units
30 × 10 −20 J

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

E. Determine the de Broglie wavelength of the ejected electrons that are ejected by a
photon of frequency 8 × 1014 Hz .

(4 points max)
From the graph, the KE associated with the 1 point for finding the KE associated
frequency is 2.1x10-19 J. with the frequency
1
KE = mv 2
2 1 point for finding the speed of the
electron using KE
2 KE 2 ( 2.1× 10−19 J )
v= =
m 9.11×10−31 kg 1 point for the de Broglie equation
v = 6.79 × 105 m/s 1 point for the correct answer
h including units
λ=
mv
6.63 × 10−34 J / Hz
λ=
( 9.11×10−31 kg )( 6.79 ×105 m / s )
λ = 1.07 ×10−9 m

F. What voltage, called the stopping voltage, would be necessary to stop the emission
of electrons that are ejected by a photon of frequency 8 × 1014 Hz .

(2 points max)
1 point for the correct equation for
From the graph, the KE associated with a finding the stopping voltage
frequency of 8 × 1014 Hz is 2.1× 10−19 J
Stopping the emission of electrons requires
work equal to the maximum KE of the 1 point for correct answer with units
electrons; thus, it would take 1.3 V.

KEmax = W = qeVstop
KEmax 2.1×10−19 J
Vstop = = = 1.3 V
qe 1.6 ×10−19 C

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

Multiple Choice

1. Light of various frequencies is shined on a metal surface and in each case the stopping
potential is measured. The work function for the metal surface is given by φ , the charge of the
electron by e , and h is Planck’s constant. In terms of the given quantities and
fundamental constants, the slope of this straight line is

h
A)
e
h
B)
φ
C) h
φ
D)
h
φ
E)
e

K max = hf − φ and K max = eVstop

eVstop = hf − φ
⎛h⎞ φ
A
Vstop = ⎜ ⎟ f −
⎝e⎠ e
y = mx + b
h
The slope of the line is
e

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

2. An X ray photon collides with a stationary electron. After the collision, the electron
departs with a velocity v and the X ray is scattered at an angle as shown above. Which
statements about this collision are correct?

I. Energy is conserved.
II. Momentum is conserved.
III. The frequency of the scattered X ray decreases.

A) I only
B) II only
C) III only
D) I and II only
E) I, II, and III

h h
Energy and momentum are conserved and λ = ⇒ p= .
p λ
E Thus, a decrease in the photon’s momentum corresponds to an increase in the
photon’s wavelength or a decrease in its frequency, since momentum and
wavelength are inversely proportional to each other.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

3. A photoemissive surface is irradiated with light and no electrons are emitted. All of
the following will result in no electrons being emitted EXCEPT

A) decreasing the wavelength of the light

B) decreasing the frequency of the light
C) decreasing the intensity of the light
D) increasing the intensity of the light
E) increasing the wavelength of the light

Not all frequencies of light cause electrons to be ejected from a photoemissive

surface. Photoemissive materials have various threshold frequencies necessary
to eject electrons. Decreasing the wavelength of the light, means increasing
A the frequency and this will cause the ejection of electrons from the
photoemissive surface when the frequency equals or exceeds the threshold
frequency.

4. Seven protons and seven neutrons are brought together to form a nitrogen nucleus, but the
mass of the nitrogen nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the individual particles that
make up the nucleus. This missing mass, called the mass defect, has been

A) converted into the binding energy of the nucleus

B) given off in a radioactive decay process
C) converted into electrons
D) converted into energy to hold the electrons in orbit
E) emitted as light

Each particle that makes up the nucleus gives up a little mass to be converted
A into energy by E = mc2 to bind the nucleus together.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

Questions 5-6:
Consider the electron energy level diagram for hydrogen shown below.

5. Electrons from a quantity of hydrogen gas drop from the state of n = 3 to n = 1 in one
or more jumps. The maximum number of spectral lines of different frequencies that can
be produced from these transitions is:

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5

Possible transitions are from n=3 to n=2, then from n=2 to n=1, and from n=3
C to n=1.

6. In which of the following transitions, will the emitted photon have the greatest
wavelength?

A) n=5 to n=4
B) n=4 to n=3
C) n=3 to n=2
D) n=2 to n=2
E) All transitions will emit a photon with the same wavelength.

hc
λ= so the transition with the smallest energy which is from n=5 to
A E
n=4 will emit a photon with the greatest wavelength.

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

7. Carbon, 146C , undergoes beta decay. The resulting product X has an atomic
configuration of
10
A) 4 X
14
B) 5 X
14
C) 6 X
14
D) 7 X
16
E) 8 X

14
6 C → ZA X + −10 e
D 14
6 C → 147 X + −10 e

8. Uranium decays into an isotope of Thorium as shown in the nuclear equation below.

U→
238
92
234
90 Th + ?+ kinetic energy What other particle is formed in this reaction?

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma ray
D) neutron
E) positron

4 U→
238
92 Th + 24 He + kinetic energy
234
90
A 2 He alpha particle

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 Atomic & Wave/Particle Physics

9. Light exhibits a wave-particle duality. An apple does not exhibit wave like properties
because

A) apples have a large mass

B) apples are made of particles
C) apples do not travel at speeds close to the speed of light
D) on Earth, gravity acts on particles like apples, but not waves
E) the laws of quantum mechanics can only be applied to subatomic particles

h
λ= We typically don’t notice the wave properties of objects
mv
A moving around us because Planck’s constant is incredibly small
compared to their mass. Nevertheless, the wavelength of any moving
mass is inversely proportional to its momentum.

10. An electron and a proton have the same wavelength. Which of the following statements are
correct?
I. They have the same momentum.
II. They have the same speed.
III. The kinetic energy of the proton is less than that of the electron.

A) I only
B) II only
C) III only
D) I and III only
E) I, II, and III

h
The momentum of the electron and proton are the same since λ = .
p
The mass of the proton is greater than that of the electron and hence, the
D kinetic energy of the proton is less than that of the electron since
mv 2 ( mv )
2
p2
K= = = .
2 2m 2m

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