JEE Main · Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Photoelectric Effect: JEE Main previous year questions
66 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 21 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 66
- in 57 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.5
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.4–0.6
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 57 of 108 shifts: 66 questions, #33 of 196 topics.
- 02
33% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 27 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Einstein's Photoelectric Equation, asked 14 times in 14 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026), most often as “work function from stopping potential”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 15 of the 61 ideas in this topic; 42 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (62%); 18% need a numerical answer, 45% are easy and 0% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is calculation (48%), then conceptual (20%).
Questions a shift, year by year
Out of the 25 Physics questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.
Raw count: 2017: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 7 in 12 shifts · 2021: 16 in 24 shifts · 2022: 15 in 24 shifts · 2023: 7 in 12 shifts · 2024: 13 in 18 shifts · 2025: 3 in 8 shifts · 2026: 5 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.5
- 0.1
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 57/108
- 53% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- spectrum region from power and photon rate
- work function from two wavelength data
- numerical: work function from stopping potential
Revise first
- Work Function and Threshold · asked 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Einstein's Photoelectric Equation · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026
- Photon Energy and Momentum · asked 2021, 2023, 2025, 2026
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 66 questions on Photoelectric Effect since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy30 · 45%
- Medium36 · 55%
- Hard0 · 0%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 41 Q62%
- Numerical value · 12 Q18%
- Diagram based · 5 Q8%
- Other · 3 Q5%
- Two statements · 3 Q5%
- Assertion–reason · 2 Q3%
Skill tested
SHARE- Calculation · 32 Q48%
- Conceptual · 13 Q20%
- Multi-step · 11 Q17%
- Data or graph · 7 Q11%
- Application · 3 Q5%
Repeats
New idea, or one asked before?
Each column is a year. Blue questions tested an idea no earlier year had asked; navy ones went back to an idea from an earlier year. 2017 is the first year, so everything in it counts as new. Heights are question counts, and Lumi analysed 1 to 24 shifts a year, so compare the split inside a column rather than heights across years.
- Idea asked for the first time
- Idea asked in an earlier year
Coverage of the topic
JEE Main has asked 15 of the 61 ideas in this topic. 42 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly15 · 25%
- Touched inside another question4 · 7%
- Never asked42 · 69%
Ideas come from Lumi’s JEE syllabus map. A never-asked idea is not a safe skip: across all of JEE Main, 22% of questions since 2024 tested an idea no earlier year had asked.
Drill down
Chapter, idea, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
15 ideas inside
Squares are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026. A number is the questions that year when there is more than one; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. Share is of the level above.
Ideas
Every idea inside this topic
15 different ideas were tested; 13 came more than once.
work function from stopping potential
Single correct · 14 shifts · 4 numericalthreshold wavelength from work function
Single correct · 9 shifts · 2 numericalthreshold wavelength from two stopping potentials
Single correct · 7 shiftsphotons emitted per second from power
Single correct · 6 shifts · 2 numericalspectrum region from power and photon rate
Numerical value · 5 shifts · 2 numericalstopping potential from wavelength and work function
Single correct · 4 shiftsratio of slope of stopping potential vs frequency plot
Diagram based · 4 shiftscount correct statements on photoelectric effect
Diagram based · 3 shiftsgraph interpretation of stopping potential vs frequency
Diagram based · 2 shiftswork function from two wavelength data
Single correct · 2 shiftsphenomena not explained by wave nature of light
Other · 2 shiftsgraph interpretation of photoelectric k_max vs frequency
Single correct · 2 shiftsmagnetic field from photoelectron circular path
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalratio of maximum speeds of photoelectrons
Single correct · 1 shiftthreshold wavelength from two stopping potentials
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numerical
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Einstein's Photoelectric Equationwork function from stopping potential | 14 | 14 | Single correctCalculation | 4 | |
| Work Function and Thresholdthreshold wavelength from work function | 10 | 9 | Single correctCalculation | 2 | |
| Two-Wavelength System of Equationsthreshold wavelength from two stopping potentials | 7 | 7 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Photon Flux and Beam Powerphotons emitted per second from power | 7 | 6 | Single correctCalculation | 2 | |
| Photon Energy and Momentumspectrum region from power and photon rate | 5 | 5 | Numerical valueCalculation | 2 | |
| Stopping Potentialstopping potential from wavelength and work function | 4 | 4 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Stopping Potential vs Frequency Graphratio of slope of stopping potential vs frequency plot | 4 | 4 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| Intensity vs Frequency Effectscount correct statements on photoelectric effect | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Comparative Graphs for Different Metalsgraph interpretation of stopping potential vs frequency | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| Solving via Two Wavelength Data Pointswork function from two wavelength data | 2 | 2 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Failure of Classical Wave Theoryphenomena not explained by wave nature of light | 2 | 2 | OtherConceptual | – | |
| K_max versus Frequency Graphgraph interpretation of photoelectric k_max vs frequency | 2 | 2 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Photoelectrons in a Magnetic Fieldmagnetic field from photoelectron circular path | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Maximum Velocity Calculationratio of maximum speeds of photoelectrons | 1 | 1 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Stopping Potential vs Wavelength Graphthreshold wavelength from two stopping potentials | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 |
Times and shifts count every analysed shift. Across JEE Main, 78% of questions since 2024 went back to an idea an earlier year had asked; the rest were new. All repeated ideas
Every question
Photoelectric Effect questions, year by year
The newest 40 show their opening words as they appeared in the official paper; older ones name the idea they tested. Open one for its options and the official answer.
JEE Main 20265 questions in 4 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q42For a certain metal, when monochromatic light of wavelength is incident, the stopping potential for photoelectrons is .…
Idea: Two-Wavelength System of Equations
MediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 1Q32The graph shows variation of stopping potential with the frequency of the incident radiation for three photosensitive metals…
Idea: Comparative Graphs for Different Metals
MediumDiagram based · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q41Light source having wavelength 331 nm is used to generate photo-electrons whose stopping potential is 0.2 V. The work function of the used…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
EasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q38A monochromatic source of light operating at 15 kW emits photons/s. The region of an electromagnetic spectrum to…
Idea: Photon Energy and Momentum
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q43and be the maximum kinetic energies of photoelectrons emitted from a surface of a given material for the light of wavelength…
Idea: Solving via Two Wavelength Data Points
MediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20253 questions in 3 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q44A monochromatic light is incident on a metallic plate having work function . An electron, emitted normally to the plate from a point…
Idea: Photon Energy and Momentum
MediumSingle correct - 3 Apr, Shift 1Q43The work function of a metal is 3 eV. The color of the visible light that is required to cause emission of photoelectrons is
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q52Which of the following statements are correct, if the threshold frequency of caesium is Hz? A. When Cs is placed…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
Asked the year beforeMediumOther · figure
JEE Main 202413 questions in 12 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q46Which figure shows the correct variation of applied potential difference (V) with photoelectric current (I) at two different intensities…
Idea: Intensity vs Frequency Effects
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q47Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: Number of photons…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
MediumAssertion–reason - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q47Given below are two statements : Statement I : Figure shows the variation of stopping potential with frequency () for the two…
Idea: Comparative Graphs for Different Metals
New ideaMediumTwo statements · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q47Which of the following statement is not true about stopping potential () ?
Idea: Stopping Potential
EasySingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q46Which of the following phenomena does not explain by wave nature of light. A. reflection B. diffraction C. photoelectric effect D.…
Idea: Failure of Classical Wave Theory
EasySingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q47In photoelectric experiment energy of 2.48 eV irradiates a photo sensitive material. The stopping potential was measured to be 0.5 V. Work…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
EasySingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q47When UV light of wavelength 300 nm is incident on the metal surface having work function 2.13 eV, electron emission takes place. The…
Idea: Stopping Potential
EasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q47UV light of eV is incident on a photosensitive metal surface having work function eV. The maximum kinetic energy of ejected…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
EasySingle correct - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q46Monochromatic light of frequency Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is W. How many photons per…
Idea: Photon Flux and Beam Power
EasySingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q46The work function of a substance is 3.0 eV. The longest wavelength of light that can cause the emission of photoelectrons from this…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q46For the photoelectric effect, the maximum kinetic energy () of the photoelectrons is plotted against the frequency () of the…
Idea: K_max versus Frequency Graph
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q46When a metal surface is illuminated by light of wavelength , the stopping potential is 8V. When the same surface is illuminated…
Idea: Two-Wavelength System of Equations
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q46In a photoelectric effect experiment a light of frequency 1.5 times the threshold frequency is made to fall on the surface of…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 20237 questions in 6 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 2Q44The work functions of Aluminium and Gold are 4.1 eV and and 5.1 eV respectively. The ratio of the slope of the stopping potential versus…
Idea: Stopping Potential vs Frequency Graph
EasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q45In photo electric effect A. The photocurrent is proportional to the intensity of the incident radiation. B. Maximum Kinetic energy with…
Idea: Intensity vs Frequency Effects
EasyOther - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q45The variation of stopping potential () as a function of the frequency () of the incident light for a metal is shown in figure.…
Idea: Stopping Potential vs Frequency Graph
MediumDiagram based · figure - 11 Apr, Shift 1Q34A metallic surface is illuminated with radiation of wavelength , the stopping potential is . If the same surface is…
Idea: Two-Wavelength System of Equations
MediumSingle correct - 13 Apr, Shift 1Q45The difference between threshold wavelengths for two metal surfaces A and B having work function and…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 13 Apr, Shift 2Q47Given below are two statements: Statement I : Out of microwaves, infrared rays and ultraviolet rays, ultraviolet rays are the most…
Idea: K_max versus Frequency Graph
New ideaEasyTwo statements - 13 Apr, Shift 2Q60An atom absorbs a photon of wavelength nm and emits another photon of wavelength nm. The net energy absorbed by the atom in…
Idea: Photon Energy and Momentum
MediumNumerical value
JEE Main 202215 questions in 14 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 1Q47A metal exposed to light of wavelength nm and and emits photoelectrons with a certain kinetic energy. The maximum kinetic energy of…
Idea: Solving via Two Wavelength Data Points
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q34A parallel beam of light of wavelength 900 nm and intensity is incident on a surface perpendicular to the beam.…
Idea: Photon Flux and Beam Power
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 27 Jul, Shift 2Q47With reference to the observations in photo-electric effect, identify the correct statements from below : (A) The square of maximum…
Idea: Failure of Classical Wave Theory
New ideaMediumOther - 28 Jul, Shift 2Q17Two streams of photons, possessing energies equal to five and ten times the work function of metal are incident on the metal surface…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 29 Jul, Shift 1Q46The kinetic energy of emitted electron is E when the light incident on the metal has wavelength . To double the kinetic energy,…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 24 Jun, Shift 1Q56When light of frequency twice the threshold frequency is incident on the metal plate, the maximum velocity of emitted electron is .…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 24 Jun, Shift 2Q48The light of two different frequencies whose photons have energies 3.8 and 1.4 respectively, illuminate a metallic surface whose…
Idea: Maximum Velocity Calculation
New ideaEasySingle correct - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q61The minimum energy that must be possessed by photons in order to produce the photoelectric effect with platinum metal is: [Given: The…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
New ideaEasySingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 2Q47A metal surface is illuminated by a radiation of wavelength 4500 Å. The ejected photo-electron enters a constant magnetic field of 2 mT…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 2Q60The stopping potential for photoelectrons emitted from a surface illuminated by light of wavelength 6630 Å is 0.42 V. If the threshold…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q82If the work function of a metal is J, the maximum wavelength of the photon required to remove a photoelectron from…
Idea: Work Function and Threshold
New ideaEasyNumerical value - 28 Jun, Shift 2Q47Let and be the maximum kinetic energies of photo-electrons emitted when two monochromatic beams of wavelength and…
Idea: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 29 Jun, Shift 1 · Q37Work Function and ThresholdNew ideaEasy
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q36Einstein's Photoelectric EquationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 30 Jun, Shift 1 · Q48Photon Flux and Beam PowerAsked the year beforeEasy
JEE Main 202116 questions in 11 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1 · Q18Photon Flux and Beam PowerAsked the year beforeMedium
- 3 Aug, Shift 1 · Q25Einstein's Photoelectric EquationAsked the year beforeEasy
- 4 Aug, Shift 2 · Q3Two-Wavelength System of EquationsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 4 Aug, Shift 2 · Q29Photon Flux and Beam PowerAsked the year beforeMedium
- 4 Aug, Shift 2 · Q53Photon Flux and Beam PowerAsked the year beforeEasy
- 26 Aug, Shift 1 · Q7Stopping PotentialNew ideaEasy
- 26 Aug, Shift 2 · Q52Einstein's Photoelectric EquationAsked the year beforeEasy
- 27 Aug, Shift 1 · Q18Intensity vs Frequency EffectsNew ideaEasy
- 27 Aug, Shift 2 · Q19Stopping PotentialNew ideaMedium
- 27 Aug, Shift 2 · Q53Photon Energy and MomentumNew ideaEasy
- 24 Feb, Shift 1 · Q18Photon Energy and MomentumNew ideaEasy
- 25 Feb, Shift 2 · Q13Two-Wavelength System of EquationsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 26 Feb, Shift 2 · Q24Einstein's Photoelectric EquationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 2 · Q18Two-Wavelength System of EquationsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 2 · Q26Photoelectrons in a Magnetic FieldAsked the year beforeMedium
- 17 Mar, Shift 2 · Q14Einstein's Photoelectric EquationAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 20207 questions in 7 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 1 · Q17Einstein's Photoelectric EquationNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 1 · Q18Photoelectrons in a Magnetic FieldNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q25Stopping Potential vs Wavelength GraphNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 1 · Q18Two-Wavelength System of EquationsNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 2 · Q17Photon Flux and Beam PowerNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q20Stopping Potential vs Frequency GraphNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q17Stopping Potential vs Frequency GraphNew ideaEasy
Questions from the official JEE Main Paper 1 shifts published by NTA (CBSE for 2017). Questions NTA dropped are left out. Topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s.