Question

Explain the photoelectric effect.

Short answer

Answer:

The photoelectric effect when certain minimum energy is imparted to the metal, the electrons are ejected and will move with specific kinetic energy if the energy imparted was more than the work function.

Step-by-step solution

Concept used

The work of scientists Planck and Einstein laid the foundation for the quantum theory of light. It has been proposed that energy can only be transported in discrete packets or units. Quantum packets were named after each of these packets. As a result, energy has been quantized.

Explain Photoelectric effect phenomenon

Wave associated with matter can be linked to particle characteristics. This fact was observed by Louis de Broglie. The relationship between mass, velocity, and wavelength is established as follows:

$\lambda \mathit{=}hmv$

Where,

- $\lambda$denotes wavelength.

- m denotes mass.

- v denotes velocity.

- h denotes Planck's constant.

To provide experimental evidence for the quantization of light Einstein's photoelectric effect experiment was performed. It was inferred that in order to release an electron from surface of metal certain minimum threshold energy must be possessed by the photon that is allowed to strike the surface. Thus, it is concluded that in the photoelectric effect when certain minimum energy is imparted to the metal, the electrons are ejected and will move with specific kinetic energy if the energy imparted was more than the work function.