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Photoelectric Effect: Photoelectron

1) The photoelectric effect occurs when electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter and electrons are emitted. 2) Einstein explained the photoelectric effect by proposing that light has both wave-like and particle-like properties, with the particles called photons having an energy proportional to the radiation's frequency. 3) Einstein derived the photoelectric effect equation using the law of conservation of energy and photon model of light, allowing him to explain experimental observations that could not be explained by classical electromagnetic theory alone.

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13 views6 pages

Photoelectric Effect: Photoelectron

1) The photoelectric effect occurs when electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter and electrons are emitted. 2) Einstein explained the photoelectric effect by proposing that light has both wave-like and particle-like properties, with the particles called photons having an energy proportional to the radiation's frequency. 3) Einstein derived the photoelectric effect equation using the law of conservation of energy and photon model of light, allowing him to explain experimental observations that could not be explained by classical electromagnetic theory alone.

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Photoelectric Effect

Photoelectron In the photoelectric effect, electrons are


emitted from matter (metals and non-
metallic solids, liquids or gases) as a
consequence of their absorption of energy
from electromagnetic radiation of very
short wavelength, such as visible or
ultraviolet radiation. Electrons emitted in
this manner may be referred to as
photoelectric_en.jar photoelectrons. This phenomenon is called
the photoelectric effect.

Einstein explained the photoelectric effect by assuming that the light


has particle character. This means that he took the Planck’s hypothesis,
concerning oscillators making emissions in only certain energy values,
further. When he derived the photoelectric effect equation, he made use
of the conservation of energy law.
Einstein was awarded Nobel Prize in 1921 for his work on photoelectric effect and
theoretical physics
The Results of Photoelectric Effect Experiment
Ek (kinetic Energy)
Kinetic energy of
photoelectrons are
independent of the
intensity of light
I (Light Intensity)
i(Current Intensity)
When the intensity of incoming
light increases , number of
photoelectrons emitted from
matter surface increases.
I (Light Intensty)

Ek (kinetic Energy)
When frequency of incoming
light that means its energy
increases, kinetic energy of the
emitted photoelectron increases.

 (Frequency)
The Results of Photoelectric Effect Experiment
Ek (kinetic Energy) Ek (kinetic Energy)

I (intensity)
 (Frequency)

According to classical electromagnetic According to classical electro-


theory, energy of light depends on magnetic theory, after a certain
intensity of light. If that was true, period, regardless of its frequency,
kinetic energy of photoelectrons must all incoming lights can able to eject
have increased with intensity of light. electrons from surface. However,
So, this graph cannot be explain by the results of photoelectric effect
classical electromagnetic theory. experiment show that only above a
specific frequency of radiation can
able to eject electron from the
surface.
Einstein’s Assumptions and
Photoelectric Effect Equation
1. Light propagates as the energy packets
2. These energy packets have hn energy
3. Light has both wave and particle characters.
These energy packets having hn energy is called E p h o to n  h
photon.
Einstein has taken the Planck’s hypothesis further and suggested that the light had
a particle character to explain the photoelectric effect. He obtained the
photoelectric effect equation by using the Law of Conservation of Energy.
.

1 2
h  W  me
2
the minimum energy required to Kinetic energy of
Energy of eject an electron from the surface
incoming photon electron
of the metal (work function)
Stopping Potential: The stopping potential is the potential that must be applied to
stop the electrons from being ejected from the surface when light is sent on it.

In other words, the stopping potential is the


applied potential that makes the KE = 0.

1
Electron Charge eV0  me 2
2

1 h W
h  W  me 2 V0   
2 e e
When frequency versus stopping potential graph is plotted:

V0 h
tan a 
c
It can be obtained the Planck’s
 constant and work function
 from this graph.
W

e
Work function depends on the type of material and it is directly
proportional to treshold frequency making the KE of photoelectrons
zero.

W  h0 Threshold frequency

To find kinetic energy of photoelectrons in


photoelectric effect experiment
1
h  W  me 2
2
h  h0  Ek
Ek  h(  0 )

1 1
Ek  hc(  )
 0 Threshold wavelenght

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