Question

According to the figure for Checkpoint 2, is the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons greater for a target made of sodium or of potassium for a given frequency of incident light?

Short answer

The maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons is greater for a target mode of potassium than one made of sodium.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

When the electron changes levels, it decreases energy and the atom emits photons. The photon is emitted with the electron moving from a higher energy level to a lower energy level. The energy of the photon is the exact energy that is lost by the electron moving to its lower energy level.

Determine the Sun emits photons

Photons with a frequency greater than the threshold frequency have energy greater than the work function and electrons will be ejected.

Potassium is a chemical element with the symbol $K$ and atomic number $19$.

Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to form flaky white potassium peroxide in only seconds of exposure.

The number of ejected photoelectrons per second depends upon the intensity of light and the kinetic energy electrons upon the frequency of light.

Potassium has a smaller work function than sodium

So, the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons is greater for a target mode of potassium than one made of sodium.