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Q.33 Physics ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
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NEET 2021 Physics Question 33 Solution

Topic: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter · Official NTA Booklet Code M1
NEET 2021 Physics Question 33: Photoelectric Effect and De-Broglie Wavelength Inter-relation

Question

An electromagnetic wave of wavelength 'λ' is incident on a photosensitive surface of negligible work function. If 'm' mass is of photoelectron emitted from the surface has de-Broglie wavelength λd, then:

✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (3) : λ = (2mc / h) λ_d^2
📚 Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Easy
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Incident EM Wave Wavelength λ
Work Function (ϕ_0) Negligible (≈ 0)
Photoelectron Mass m
Photoelectron de-Broglie Wavelength λ_d
⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ 3-Step Quantum Coupling: E = hc/λ = p²/2m, p = h/λ_d

⏱️ Save ~20 seconds

K=hcλ=p22m=h22mλd2K = \frac{hc}{\lambda} = \frac{p^2}{2m} = \frac{h^2}{2m \lambda_d^2}. Cross-multiply: λ=(2mch)λd2\lambda = \left(\frac{2mc}{h}\right) \lambda_d^2! Instant 15-second algebraic relation matching Option (3)!

1 Kinetic energy of emitted photoelectron: K=Ephoton−ϕ0=hcλ−0=hcλK = E_{\text{photon}} - \phi_0 = \frac{hc}{\lambda} - 0 = \frac{hc}{\lambda}.
2 De-Broglie wavelength of electron: λd=hp=h2mK\lambda_d = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mK}}.
3 Square both sides: λd2=h22mK=h22m(hc/λ)=hλ2mc\lambda_d^2 = \frac{h^2}{2mK} = \frac{h^2}{2m(hc/\lambda)} = \frac{h\lambda}{2mc}.
4 Rearrange for λ\lambda: λ=(2mch)λd2\lambda = \left(\frac{2mc}{h}\right) \lambda_d^2.
5 Match Option (3).
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Canonical de-Broglie hypothesis and Einstein's photoelectric equation.
📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Applying Einstein's Photoelectric Equation

For incident photons of wavelength λ\lambda incident on a surface of negligible work function (ϕ0≈0\phi_0 \approx 0), the maximum kinetic energy KK of emitted photoelectrons is:

K=hcλ−ϕ0=hcλK = \frac{hc}{\lambda} - \phi_0 = \frac{hc}{\lambda}
Step 2

Expressing Kinetic Energy via de-Broglie Wavelength

The de-Broglie wavelength λd\lambda_d of a particle of mass mm and kinetic energy KK is given by:

λd=hp=h2mK  ⟹  λd2=h22mK\lambda_d = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mK}} \implies \lambda_d^2 = \frac{h^2}{2mK}
Step 3

Connecting Incident Wavelength λ with Matter Wavelength λ_d

Substitute K=hcλK = \frac{hc}{\lambda} into the expression for λd2\lambda_d^2:

λd2=h22m(hcλ)=h2λ2mhc=h2mcλ\lambda_d^2 = \frac{h^2}{2m \left(\frac{hc}{\lambda}\right)} = \frac{h^2 \lambda}{2mhc} = \frac{h}{2mc} \lambda
Step 4

Solving for λ

Multiply both sides by 2mch\frac{2mc}{h}:

λ=(2mch)λd2\lambda = \left(\frac{2mc}{h}\right) \lambda_d^2
⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan
1 1
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Inverts the speed of light cc to the denominator (dimensionally inconsistent).

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Algebraic manipulation error.
2 2
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Swaps λ\lambda and λd\lambda_d exponents (lambdalambda is linear with lambdad2lambda_d^2, not vice versa).

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Inverting which wavelength carries the square power.
3 3
✓ 100% Correct
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Exact mathematical relationship between electromagnetic wavelength lambdalambda and de-Broglie wavelength lambdadlambda_d.

💡
Why this is airtight: None; rigorous quantum mechanics derivation.
4 4
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Inverts Planck constant hh and mass mm.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Reciprocal error in constant factor.
⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Exponent Placement Trap (Option 2 vs. Option 3)

Students frequently remember the constant factor 2mch\frac{2mc}{h} but place the square on the wrong wavelength, confusing λ=(2mch)λd2\lambda = \left(\frac{2mc}{h}\right) \lambda_d^2 with λd=(2mch)λ2\lambda_d = \left(\frac{2mc}{h}\right) \lambda^2.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Dimensional check: λd∝1K∝λ  ⟹  λd2∝λ\lambda_d \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{K}} \propto \sqrt{\lambda} \implies \lambda_d^2 \propto \lambda. Thus λ\lambda is proportional to λd2\lambda_d^2.
📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NCERT Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"The de Broglie wavelength of an electron is related to its kinetic energy by λd=h2mK\lambda_d = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2mK}}."

Syllabus Focus: Wave Nature of Matter (de Broglie Wavelength)
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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