Question

There is a certain probability that a single electron may simultaneously absorb two identical photons from a high-intensity laser. How would such an occurrence affect the threshold frequency and the equations of Section 38.1? Explain.

Short answer

The threshold frequency is the same.

Step-by-step solution

Important Concepts

The relation between kinetic energy, threshold frequency and work function is given by

$\frac{1}{2}m{v}^2=hf-\varphi$

Application

Threshold frequency is a factor that relates to the atom or energy between the electron and the nucleus. So, increasing the energy of the incident photon from hf to 2hf wouldn’t affect the equation of the threshold frequency.

$\frac{1}{2}m{v}^2=hf-\varphi$

As the$\varphi$is the minimum energy which depends on the threshold frequency f , then it will be the same. The two photons may eject an electron from a lower state to a higher state but don’t affect the threshold frequency.