Radiation with photon energy $E$ is incident on a photosensitive substance with work function $ϕ$ ejecting photoelectrons. The intensity is now halved. Consider the following three statements-
(a) The occurrence of photoelectric effect may cease
(b) Photoelectrons of energy $(E - ϕ)$ may be present
(c) The saturation photocurrent gets halved

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(a) and (b) are correct but not (c)

(b) and (c) are correct but not (a)

(a) and (c) are correct but not (b)

(a), (b) and (c) all are correct

answer is B.

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Detailed Solution

Reducing the intensity reduces the number of photoelectrons ejected per unit time, but cannot stop the occurrence of photoelectric effect. So statement (a) is not correct.

Since energy associated with the photons (which depend upon frequency) remain unchanged; so statement (b) is correct, i.e., photoelectrons with maximum possible kinetic energy will be present.

The saturation photocurrent is directly proportional to intensity, so halving the intensity will halve the saturation photocurrent. So statement (c) is correct.

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