plumiPhotons and the photoelectric effect: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions
Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Photons and the photoelectric effect (specification points 90–96), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q15(a)
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Q15(a)(i)
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Q15(a)(ii)
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Q15(a)(iii)
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Q16(a)(i)
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Q16(a)(ii)
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Q16(b)(i)
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Q16(b)(ii)
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Q12(a)(i)
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Q12(a)(ii)
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Q12(b)
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Q18(a)
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Q18(b)
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Q11(b)
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Q14(a)
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All 82 questions on Photons and the photoelectric effect, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q2 (1 mark): Which of the following provides evidence for the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation? A diffraction B interference C photoelectric effect D polarisatio
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q13 (5 marks): A teacher demonstrated the photoelectric effect by illuminating a zinc plate with electromagnetic radiation. When ultraviolet radiation of wavelength 320 nm was
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q15(a) (4 marks): The energy of one of these gamma ray photons was determined to be 2.0 × 10 13 eV. Calculate the wavelength of these gamma rays. (4) Wavelength =
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): A teacher demonstrates the photoelectric effect. Monochromatic radiation is incident on the surface of a metal and photoelectrons are emitted. The intensity of
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q15(a)(i) (4 marks): Explain how these emission spectra are created. (4)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q15(a)(ii) (4 marks): The diagram shows some of the energy levels for a hydrogen atom. 0 eV –1.51 eV –3.39 eV –13.6 eV Deduce the transition which would result in the emission of lig
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q15(a)(iii) (2 marks): The concentration of hydrogen atoms in the atmosphere of Mars is not constant. Explain why the intensity of the radiation received by the detectors on the satel
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q16(a)(i) (2 marks): The wave produced by the electron sets up a standing wave around the circumference of its orbit. In the lowest energy state one wavelength fits into the circumf
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q16(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how electron standing waves can exist at different discrete energy levels. (2)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): An electron in the beam travels at 5.9 × 10 6 m s –1. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of the electron. (2) de Broglie wavelength =
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): The diameters of the rings in the diffraction pattern decrease as the speed of the electron beam is increased. Explain why. (2)
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q12(a)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by threshold frequency. (1)
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q12(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the observation of a threshold frequency is not consistent with the wave theory of light. (2)
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q12(b) (1 mark): The photoelectric effect can be explained using the idea of photons. State what is meant by the term photon. (1)
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q18(a) (6 marks): Explain how gases in the Sun’s atmosphere cause dark lines in the spectrum corresponding to different elements. (6)
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q18(b) (4 marks): The diagram shows some energy levels of a hydrogen atom. n = 5 –0.54 eV n = 4 –0.85 eV n = 3 –1.51 eV Not to scale n = 2 –3.40 eV n = 1 –13.6 eV The absorption
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q3 (1 mark): An electron in an atom absorbs energy E and is excited from one energy level to the next. When the electron returns to its original energy level a photon is emi
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): The photoelectric effect provides evidence for the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation. Which of the following is not observed in the photoelectric eff
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q11(b) (4 marks): The electrons in an electron beam have a speed of approximately 10% of the speed of light. It is possible to demonstrate diffraction with this electron beam whe
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q14(a) (3 marks): Explain how the incident ultraviolet radiation causes dust particles to become charged by the photoelectric effect. (3)
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q14(b) (3 marks): The angle at which the ultraviolet radiation is incident on the Moon varies across its surface, as shown. Moon ultraviolet radiation The number of dust particle
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q14(c) (3 marks): The work functions of some minerals that have been found on the surface of the Moon are shown. Mineral Work function / eV ilmenite 4.3 olivine 7.9 pyroxene 5.1
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q15(c) (4 marks): One of the infrared detectors on the JWST is made from material with a work function of 0.30 eV. Deduce whether this detector can detect the light from Maisie.
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q17(b)(i) (4 marks): Light interacts with atoms as it passes through the atmosphere of the star. Explain how this leads to the formation of the dark lines within the spectrum. (4)
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q7(a) (6 marks): When in use, the neon gas between the electrodes emits electromagnetic radiation. Explain why this happens when there is an electric current between the electro
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q7(b) (4 marks): When light from the neon lamp is incident upon a metal surface, electrons with a maximum speed of 2.68 × 10 5 m s −1 are emitted from the surface. The table sho
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q11(a) (3 marks): No photoelectrons are emitted when the frequency of the radiation is below a certain value. Explain why. (3)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q11(b)(i) (2 marks): A photon with frequency 10.0 × 10 a photoelectron to be released. Calculate the maximum possible velocity vmax of the photoelectron. (2) vmax =
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q11(b)(ii) (3 marks): The table shows the work function ϕ for three metals. Metal ϕ / eV caesium 2.2 zinc 4.3 beryllium 5.0 Deduce which metal was used in this demonstration. (3)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q15(c) (2 marks): The wavelength of monochromatic light can be determined using a diffraction grating with about 500 lines per mm. Explain why the wavelength of electrons can not
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q15(d) (6 marks): A laser produces light with discrete wavelengths. The laser contains a gas. A current in the gas causes the atoms in the gas to move to an excited state. Explai
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(a) (4 marks): Determine a value for the Planck constant, h, in J s. (4) h = J s
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(b) (3 marks): The table gives data for different metal surfaces. Metal surface Work function / eV Caesium 2.0 Calcium 2.9 Magnesium 3.7 Deduce which metal was being used in t
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q19(b) (6 marks): Interactions between electrons and the neon atoms in the tube make the beam visible. Part of the spectrum of visible light produced by these interactions is sho
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following provides evidence for the particle model of electromagnetic radiation? A diffraction B interference C polarisation D visible line spectra
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): The energy level diagram shows four possible energy transitions for an electron in an atom. n = 3 n = 2 ground state n = 1 A B C D Which arrow shows the transit
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q15(a) (2 marks): In a demonstration of the photoelectric effect, ultraviolet radiation with a frequency of 2.8 × 1016 Hz is incident on the surface of clean zinc. Electrons are
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q15(b)(i) (3 marks): The diagram shows the lowest frequency standing wave that fits into the diameter of the atom. atom d the lowest frequency standing wave Calculate the momentum o
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q15(b)(ii) (2 marks): Electrons in an atom can only exist at discrete energy levels. Explain how this standing wave model can account for this. (2)
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): The photoelectric effect provides evidence for the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation. Which of the following observations of the photoelectric effect
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q16(a) (4 marks): Determine the value of the Planck constant given by this graph. (4) Value of Planck constant given by graph =
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q16(b) (3 marks): There are two problems with using LEDs to determine the Planck constant: • when the p.d. is increased and the LED first emits light it is difficult to see • the
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q11(a) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of radiation absorbed by the electron. (3) Wavelength =
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q11(b) (3 marks): The electron eventually returns to its ground state. Explain, with reference to the energy level diagram, how this may result in the emission of radiation with
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q16(d) (3 marks): In a demonstration of the photoelectric effect, electromagnetic radiation is shone onto a clean metal surface. It can be shown that the metal loses negative cha
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q16(e) (3 marks): In the 1920s, experiments demonstrating diffraction of electrons confirmed de Broglie’s work on the wave nature of particles. In one such experiment an electron
- October 2020, Paper 2, Q17(a) (6 marks): Discuss the extent to which our current understanding of observations of the photoelectric effect supports the idea that light behaves as photons rather than as
- October 2020, Paper 2, Q17(b) (3 marks): Millikan used his data to obtain a value of the Planck constant. The following graph of maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons against frequency was produced
- October 2020, Paper 2, Q17(c) (4 marks): Millikan’s experiments involved using different frequencies of light. These were obtained using a mercury vapour lamp which produced an emission spectrum with a
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): The image shows a diffraction pattern observed when a beam of electrons is fired at thin gold foil. (Source: © The Reading Room/Alamy Stock Photo) What property
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): An electron travels at a velocity v. Which of the following is the correct expression for the de Broglie wavelength λ of the electron? × 3 00 . 10 8 A λ = × × v
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q13(a) (4 marks): Scientists have observed that one such spacecraft becomes charged when the frequency of the radiation is greater than 9.9 × 1014 Hz. The table lists the work fu
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q13(b) (6 marks): The graph shows how the intensity of ultraviolet radiation varies with height above the surface of the Earth. 24 22 20 18 Intensity of 16 ultraviolet 14 12 radi
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q16(a) (5 marks): When superradiance occurs the atoms all absorb the same amount of energy. Explain how this results in all the atoms emitting radiation of a particular frequency
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q16(b) (3 marks): Superradiance occurs when the distance between atoms is less than the wavelength of the emitted radiation. An atom is in the ground state. The atom absorbs 6.2
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q17(c) (4 marks): The diagram shows some of the energy levels in a sodium atom. — 0.00 eV - -1.02 eV = -32e -1.52 el --1.95 eV - -3.04 eV — -5.14 eV Add an arrow to the diagram t
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): When monochromatic light is incident on the surface of a metal, electrons are emitted by the photoelectric effect. If other conditions are unchanged, the maximu
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q19(b) (5 marks): The composition of a star can be determined by analysis of its absorption spectrum. Explain why there are certain specific frequencies missing from the spectrum
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q9(a) (4 marks): The student was asked by his teacher to explain the photoelectric effect. He gave the following explanation: Light above a certain threshold is able to free g f
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q9(b) (5 marks): The student sets up a circuit to investigate the photoelectric effect. light photocell V mA The student illuminates the photocell with light of known frequency
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q9(c) (2 marks): This experiment demonstrates the particle nature of light. Explain what is meant by the particle nature of light. (2)
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q12(c) (4 marks): In the energy ladder model of the atom, electrons exist in a discrete number of allowed energy states. The collision of electrons with gold atoms may lead to th
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): Einstein’s photoelectric equation states hf = + 1 2 PY࣠2 max The quantity denoted by is the minimum A amount of energy of a photon needed to release an elec
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): The image shows a diffraction pattern formed when a beam of electrons passes through thin metal foil. Which of the following would cause the diameter of the rin
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q12(a) (5 marks): Explain why excited atoms only emit certain frequencies of radiation. (5)
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q12(b) (4 marks): An electron travelling with a speed of 2.5 × 106 m sí collides with a stationary mercury atom and continues at a speed of 2.1 × 106 m sí. The table gives a ra
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q15(a) (4 marks): The solar panels consist of a series of photocells connected to an external circuit that includes the batteries. When light strikes the photocells, electrons ga
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q17(a) (6 marks): The following observations were made: • under normal lighting conditions the charge remained constant • when the zinc was illuminated with ultraviolet light, th
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q17(b) (3 marks): For one sheet of zinc, the charge at different times was measured. The following graph was obtained. time A student suggests that this is an exponential decay c
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q12(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how these atoms emit visible light. (2)
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q15(a)(i) (2 marks): Show that a single photon of frequency 1.5 × 1015 Hz has a momentum of about 3 × 10–27 N s. (2)
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q15(a)(ii) (1 mark): Hence determine the momentum transferred to the solar sail by this photon. (1) Momentum transferred =
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q15(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the maximum velocity for a photoelectron emitted after absorption of a photon of light of frequency 1.5 × 1015 Hz is about 8 × 105 m s–1. work functio
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q15(c) (2 marks): Explain whether the suggestion in (b) that ‘larger changes in momentum could be produced by directing laser light at graphene oxide’ is true. (2)
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows the lowest energy levels for a certain atom. 3 –1.6 eV 2 –2.3 eV 1 –3.2 eV ground state –5.5 eV A photon with energy 3.2 eV is absorbed. An el
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q9 (3 marks): In the 1920s Louis de Broglie proposed that an electron could behave as a wave. Calculate the wavelength of an electron that is travelling at a speed of 2.2 × 1
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q15 (6 marks): *15 The behaviour of electromagnetic radiation can be described in terms of a photon model or a wave model. In the photoelectric effect, electromagnetic radiati
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q16(c) (3 marks): Photocells traditionally use silicon to generate electricity using visible light. Research demonstrates that unlike silicon, graphene is able to respond at all
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q13(a) (6 marks): Discuss the conclusions that can be drawn from this information about the behaviour of electrons and the structure of graphite. (6)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q15(a) (3 marks): Describe the particle model of ultraviolet radiation that explains how it can “knock electrons out of atoms”. (3)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q15(b)(ii) (1 mark): The potential difference on the voltmeter is increased until the ammeter reading is zero. The voltmeter reads 0.6 V at this instant. State the maximum kinetic e
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q15(c) (4 marks): Discuss whether the photocell arrangement in part (b) gives a valid demonstration of how dust particles become charged on the Moon. . (4)
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