Draw a plot showing the variation of photoelectric current with collector plate potential for two different frequencies ν1>ν2 of incident radiation having the same intensity. In which case will the stopping potential be higher? Justify your answer.
Answer: Same saturation current; higher stopping potential for ν1.
Solution
Since the two beams have the same intensity, both curves reach the same saturation current, but they cut the potential axis at different stopping potentials (see figure). From eV0=hν−ϕ0, a higher frequency gives a larger Kmax and hence a higher stopping potential. Therefore the stopping potential is higher for the beam of frequency ν1.