A photocell is a device used to measure the intensity of light. In a certain experiment, when light of wavelength 530 nm is directed on to the photocell, electrons are emitted at the rate of 5.1 10-13 Coulombs/sec. Assume that each photon that impinges on the photocell emits one electron.
How many photons per second are striking the photocell?
To determine the number of photons per second striking the photocell, we can use the equation:
Number of photons = Current / Charge of one electron
Given:
Current (I) = 5.1 x 10^(-13) Coulombs/sec
Charge of one electron (e) = 1.6 x 10^(-19) Coulombs
Therefore,
Number of photons = (5.1 x 10^(-13) Coulombs/sec) / (1.6 x 10^(-19) Coulombs)
Let's calculate this:
Number of photons = (5.1 x 10^(-13)) / (1.6 x 10^(-19))
= (5.1 / 1.6) x (10^(-13) / 10^(-19))
= 3.1875 x 10^6
Thus, approximately 3.1875 x 10^6 photons per second are striking the photocell.
To find the number of photons per second striking the photocell, you can use the relationship between charge and the charge of an electron.
Given that electrons are emitted at a rate of 5.1 x 10^-13 Coulombs/sec, and each photon that impinges on the photocell emits one electron, we can conclude that 5.1 x 10^-13 Coulombs of charge is produced by each photon per second.
The charge of an electron is approximately 1.6 x 10^-19 Coulombs.
So, we can calculate the number of photons per second by dividing the rate of charge emission by the charge of one electron:
Number of photons per second = Rate of charge emission / Charge of one electron
Number of photons per second = (5.1 x 10^-13 Coulombs/sec) / (1.6 x 10^-19 Coulombs)
Calculating the above expression gives us:
Number of photons per second ≈ 3.19 x 10^6 photons/sec
Therefore, approximately 3.19 x 10^6 photons per second are striking the photocell.