Photoelectric exp - calculate intensity of incident light

Click For Summary
In a photoelectric effect experiment, a photoelectric current of 100µA is generated with 550nm light on a 1.0cm² cathode, leading to an intensity calculation. The initial attempt yielded an intensity of 3.61x10^-19 W/m², which was incorrect due to unit discrepancies. The discussion emphasizes the relationship between photoelectric current, the number of electrons ejected, and incident photons. Participants highlighted the importance of ensuring the result's units align with the expected intensity units of W/m². The correct intensity of the incident light is ultimately calculated to be 2.26 W/m².
desmond iking
Messages
284
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


In an photoelectric effect experiment , a photoelectric current of 100µA is obtained when lights of 550nm is incident on metal cathode of surface area 1.0cm^2 ... calculate the intensity of the incident light. The ans is 2.26w/m^2

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



intensity= power /area
intensity= (voltage x current) /area
intensity= ( (hc/λ) x I ) / area
= (6.63x10^-34)(3x10^8)(100x10^-6) / (550x10^-9)(1.0x10^-4) = 3.61x10^-19 (W/m^2 )

why am i wrong?
[/B]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How is the photoelectric current related to the number of electrons ejected? What is the relation between the number of electrons ejected and the number of the incident photons?
If you check the unit of your result, it is not W/m2.
 
  • Like
Likes desmond iking
ehild said:
How is the photoelectric current related to the number of electrons ejected? What is the relation between the number of electrons ejected and the number of the incident photons?
If you check the unit of your result, it is not W/m2.

can you please tell me what's the unit of my 3.61x10^-19 should be? i am confused now.
 
The problem is not with the units. If you check the unit of your result and it is not what it should be then your solution is wrong. Your solution is wrong, as its dimension is not energy/(time area).
Read the first two sentences of my previous post.

ehild
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
13K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K