Excitation

Question 1

What are the two different types of excitation?

Answer 1

Electron and Photon excitation.

Question 2

What type of energy do the photons only offer, and how much of it can they offer?

Answer 2

They only offer DISCRETE energy, in a 1:1 interaction.

Discrete means it can only take specific values (multiples of h)

Question 3

What type of energy do the electrons offer, and how much of it can they offer?

Answer 3

Electrons offer CONTINUOUS energy, and can provide all/ none/ some of their energy

Continuous means it can give any value of energy it is capable of giving

Question 4

Why do excited electrons have a range of kinetic energies?

Answer 4

Because the work function is only the MINIMUM energy required to escape the surface of the metal for electrons near the top of the energy well, electrons further down will require higher work functions, meaning via KE = hf - ∅, a higher work function means lower KE