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 the incident light on the photoelectrons emitted?
They will have more kinetic energy, as the photon will have more energy (energy is proportional to frequency)
What is the effect of increasing the intensity if the incident light on the photoelectrons emitted?
It will increase the number of photons incident on the metal, therefore increasing the amount 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 with one or more excited electrons
What is ionisation?
When an electron receives enough energy to leave an atom
What is ionisation energy?
The minimum energy required to remove an electron from the atom from the ground state
How can electrons become excited?
- collision with an incoming electron
- absorbing a photon
What is meant by the term wave particle duality in terms of electrons?
Electrons have both wave-like and particle-like properties
Give an example of a particle acting like a wave
Electron diffraction
Give an example of a wave behaving like a particle
Photoelectric effect
What is 1 electron-volt?
The energy an electron gains when it travels through a potential difference of 1 V
