Quantum Phenomena Flashcards
What is the definition of the work function?
The minimum amount of energy required to remove an electron from the surface of a metal
What is the definition of the threshold frequency?
The minimum frequency of a photon required to remove an electron from the surface of a metal
What is the effect of increasing the frequency of incident light on the photoelectrons emitted?
Increases the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons.
This is because the incoming photons have more energy (as energy is proportional to frequency)
What is the effect of increasing the intensity of incident light on the photoelectrons emitted?
Increasing the intensity will increase the the number of photons incident on the metal. Therefore increasing the number of photoelectrons emitted.
What is the ground state?
The lowest energy level an electron can be in.
What does excitation mean?
An electron receives enough energy to move to a higher energy level.
What is an excited atom?
An atom in which one or more electrons is in an energy level higher than the ground state
What is ionisation ?
When an electron receives enough energy to leave an atom from the ground state
What is the ionisation energy ?
The minimum energy required to remove an electron from an atom from the ground state
How can an electron become excited?
Absorption of a photon, or a collision with incoming electron.
What is meant by the term wave particle duality of, eg electrons?
Electrons have both wave-like and particle-like properties
Give an example of a particle behaving as a wave?
Electron diffraction
Give an example of a wave behaving as a particle?
Photoelectric effect (photons)
