Section: Science

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In the photocell discussed in the passage, suppose the work function of the metal had been 5.1 eV. If the energy per photon had been the same as in Trials 7–9, the maximum kinetic energy of electrons that were ejected from the metal would have been:

1. 0.9 eV
2. 2.0 eV
3. 4.0 eV
4. 5.1 eV

According to the passage, the maximum kinetic energy an ejected electron can have is the photon's energy minus the metal's work function. In Trials 7–9, the energy per photon was 6.0 eV. If the work function had been 5.1 eV, then the maximum kinetic energy of an electron that was ejected from the metal would have been 6.0 eV minus 5.1 eV, or 0.9 eV.