PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT The Photoelectric effect occurs

when light knocks electrons out

h= Plancks Constant (6.63x10-34) E= Energy of a Photon of the surface of a metal.
f= Frequency (Measured in Hertz) However each metal requires a
= Work Function (Minimum energy needed to different amount of energy (per
free an electron from the surface of a metal) photon) to be able to free the
EK= The maximum kinetic energy of a photon (measured in Joules) electron, this is what is known as
c= Speed of light (3x108) the work function ().
= Wavelength (Measured in metres)
So where some metals easily
Above is the most important equation you need to know for the Threshold Frequency = the
loose their electrons with a
photoelectric effect, however there are a couple more which can minimum frequency of
green light, others need
make the calculations easier to work out. radiation that will free one
ultraviolet or gamma rays to be
electron. (One photon can
able to free an electron.
In the diagram below, it shows Only if the work function only free one electron)
the photoelectric effect in of this metal is lower
action. There is a photon than the energy of the What this graph shows, is that Na
coming into contact with the photon being emitted. electrons requires less energy to This is known as the threshold
metal surface and the energy is be freed from the metals surface,
absorbed by an electron. IF the e- whereas the Zn electrons need
frequency and can be shown on
a graph and represented by = f0
energy of the photon is greater slightly more energy, which is why
than the work function of the Na has a lower threshold
metal an electron will be given frequency.
off. But if the energy of the EK
photon is lower than the work e- e- e- e- e- e- e- e- Also, I have identified the Gradient= h
function no electrons will be Metal Surface gradient to be; h (Planck's
given off. constant). The gradient for any f0 f0
metal on this graph will always be Frequency
the same.
RADIOWAVES INFRARED ULTRAVIOLET GAMMA RAYS
R O Y G B I V
Longest Wavelengths Wavelength = 700nm Wavelength = 550nm Wavelength = 450nm Shortest Wavelengths
Lowest Frequency Long Wavelengths Short Wavelengths Highest Frequency
Lowest Energy Photons Low Frequency High Frequency Highest Energy Photons
Low Energy Photons High Energy Photons