Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM23Ch24ce: JEE Main 2023 Chemistry - Class 11 JEEM23Ch24ce Solution: Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A …

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R :

Assertion A : In the photoelectric effect, the electrons are ejected from the metal surface as soon as the beam of light of frequency greater than threshold frequency strikes the surface.

Reason R : When the photon of any energy strikes an electron in the atom, transfer of energy from the photon to the electron takes place.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Multiple Choice Options

  • A Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
  • B A is not correct but R is correct
  • C A is correct but R is not correct
  • D Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

Given are two statements :

  • Assertion A : "In the photoelectric effect, the electrons are ejected from the metal surface as soon as the beam of light of frequency greater than threshold frequency strikes the surface."
  • Reason R : "When the photon of any energy strikes an electron in the atom, transfer of energy from the photon to the electron takes place."

From the understanding of the photoelectric effect, we know that the light beam must have a frequency vv that is greater than the threshold frequency v0v_0 for electrons to be ejected from the metal surface. Therefore, Assertion A is correct.

However, Reason R is somewhat misleading in the context of the photoelectric effect. It's true that a photon transfers its energy to an electron when it strikes the electron. However, for the electron to be ejected (i.e., the photoelectric effect to occur), the energy of the photon, given by Ephoton=h⋅vE_{photon} = h \cdot v , where hh is Planck's constant and vv is the frequency of the light, must be greater than the work function ϕ\phi (the minimum energy needed to eject an electron) of the metal. This condition is not captured in Reason R.

Therefore, the correct answer is :

Option C : Assertion A is correct, but Reason R is not correct.

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