PHOTOELECTRIC

EFFECT
Ajla Hasic
 When light shines on a metal, electrons can be
ejected from the surface of the metal in a
phenomenon known as thephotoelectric
effect.This process is also often referred to
asphotoemission, and the electrons that are
ejected from the metal are calledphotoelectrons.
In terms of their behavior and their properties,
photoelectrons are no different from other
electrons. The prefix,photo-, simply tells us that
the electrons have been ejected from a metal
surface by incident light.
 Oscillating electric field of the incoming light wave
was heating the electrons and causing them to
vibrate, eventually freeing them from the metal
surface
Hypothesis based on the assumption that light
traveled purely as a wave through space
The energy of the light wave proportional to its
brightness, which is related to the wave's
amplitude
Predictions
The kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons
should increase with the light amplitude.
The rate of electron emission, which is
proportional to the measured electric current,
should increase as the light frequency is
increased.
Results
The kinetic energy of photoelectrons increases
with light frequency.
Electric current remains constant as light
frequency increases.
Electric current increases with light amplitude.
The kinetic energy of photoelectrons remains
constant as light amplitude increases.
Einstein's model of light
an entirely new model of light was needed to
explain such behaviour
light sometimes behaves as particles of
electromagnetic energy calledphotons (Albert
Einstein)
 The energy of a photon could be calculated using
Planck's equation:
E=h
wherehis Planck's constant (6.6261034Js),
andis the frequency of the light inHz.
light frequency and the kinetic
energy of ejected electrons
threshold frequency
If the incident light has a frequency less than a
minimum frequency0 then no electrons are
ejected regardless of the light amplitude. This
minimum frequency is also called thethreshold
frequency, and the value ofdepends on the
metal.
 Ephoton=h=KEelectron+
The energy required to free the electron from a
particular metal is represented by the symbol -
metal'swork function, (J)
Example 1
The work function of copper metal is =7.5310
19J. If we shine light with a frequency of3.010
16Hz , on copper metal, will the photoelectric
effect be observed?
Example 2
What is the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons
ejected from the copper by the light with a
frequency of3.01016Hz
Example 3
What is the kinetic energy and the speed of an
electron ejected from a sodium surface whose
work function is W=2,28eV when illuminated by
light of wavelength
a) 410 nm
b) 550 nm