The Photoelectric Effect

Question 1

What did Einstein suggest by the photoelectric effect

Answer 1

One photon collides with one electron in the metal, giving it enough energy to be removed from the metal
some of the energy of the photon is used to break the bonds holding the electron in the metal and the rest of the energy is converted into the kinetic energy of the electron

Question 2

What is the photoelectric effect equation?

Answer 2

hf=ø+Ek

Question 3

What is the work function?

Answer 3

The work function is the amount of energy the electron requires to be completely removed from the surface of the metal

This is the energy just to remove it, not to move away

Question 4

What is threshold frequency?

Answer 4

Threshold frequency is the minimum frequency that would release an electron from the surface of a metal

Any less than this and nothing will happen

Question 5

What is the equation for the threshold frequency?

Answer 5

f=ø/h

Question 6

What happens if a photon has less energy than the work function and the intensity is increased

Answer 6

Increasing the intensity increases the number of photons the light source gives out each second

If the photon has less energy than the work function and electron cannot be removed

Increasing the intensity, just send out more photons, all of which would not have enough energy to release an electron

Question 7

On a photoelectric graph, what is plotted on the X and Y axis?

Answer 7

Y-kinetic energy
X-frequency

Question 8

What is the gradient of the photoelectric graph?

Answer 8

Planck’s constant

Question 9

What is the Y intercept of the photoelectric graph?

Answer 9

-ø