Chapter 21 Flashcards
What is an electron?
An electron is an indivisible quantity of charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom
What is thermionic emission?
Thermionic emission is the emission of electrons from the surface of a hot metal
What is work function?
The work function of a metal is the minimum energy needed to remove the loosest electrons from the surface of that metal
What are x-rays?
X-rays are high frequency electromagnetic radiation produced when high speed electrons in a cathode ray tube strike a metal target that has a high melting point
What is the photoelectric effect?
The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons from the surface of a metal due to electromagnetic radiation of suitable frequency hitting the metal
What is a photon?
A photon is a bundle (packet) of light energy, the magnitude of which is proportional to the frequency of light
What is the threshold frequency?
The threshold frequency is the minimum frequency needed to cause photoelectric emission.
What is Einstein’s Photoelectric Law?
The energy of the fastest electron emitted is the difference between the energy of the photon and the work function of the metal
