PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

a) DEFINITION, EQUATION & UNIT

DEFINITION EQUATION UNIT

Definition

Diagram
Photoelectric Effect

Photoelectron

Monochromatic Light

Photoelectric Current, I

Saturation Current, Im

Stopping Potential
(Voltage), Vs

Threshold Frequency @ Cut

Off Frequency @ Minimum
Frequency, fo

Work Function, WO
Threshold Wavelength @
Maximum Wavelength, o

Einsteins Photoelectric
Equation

Electron-Volt (eV)

Definition

Characteristics
EM Radiation @ Photon

Black Body Radiation

b) DIFFERENT BETWEEN EM WAVE WITH EM RADIATION (PHOTON)

EM WAVE ASPECTS PHOTON

ENERGY DEPEND ON

CONTINOUS OR DISCRETE
C) PHOTOELECTRIC EXPERIMENT
Explanation Of Experiment

When a ____________________of suitable frequency (or wavelength) shines on the cathode, ____________
are emitted.
These photoelectrons are attracted to the ___________ and give rise to the ________________________
which is measured by the galvanometer.
When the positive voltage (potential difference) across the cathode and anode is increased, more photoelectrons
reach the anode, thus the photoelectric current _________________.
As positive voltage becomes sufficiently large, the photoelectric current reaches a maximum constant value called ______________________.
If the positive voltage is gradually decreased, the photoelectric current I also ______________ slowly. Even at __________ voltage there are still
some photoelectrons with sufficient energy reach the __________ and the photoelectric current flows is I0.
Finally, when the voltage is made negative by _____________ the power supply terminal as shown in Figure 9.4b, the photoelectric current _________
even further to very low values since most photoelectrons are ______________ by anode which is now _______________ electric potential.
As the potential of the anode becomes more negative, less photoelectrons reach the _________ thus the photoelectric current drops until its value
equals ________ which the electric potential at this moment is called ____________________________.

D) IMPORTANT OBSERVATION IN PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

a)

b)

c)

d)

E) FAILURE OF WAVE THEORY (CLASSICAL PHYSICS) TO EXPLAIN PHOTOELECTRIC EXPERIMENT

Wave theory predicts that :

a)
 b)

c)

F) 3 CASES EMISSION OF ELECTRON

Situation Diagram Explanation

1st Case f f

2nd Case f f

3rd Case f < fo

G) GRAPH OF PHOTOELECTRIC EXPERIMENT

a) Variation Of Photoelectric Current I With Voltage V

Situation Graph Reason

For The Radiation Of

Different Intensities But Its
Frequency Is Fixed
For The Radiation Of
Different Frequencies But
Its Intensity Is Fixed

For The Different Metals Of

Cathode But The Intensity
And Frequency Of The
Radiation Are Fixed

B) Variation Of Stopping Voltage Vs With Frequency F Of The Radiation

Situation Graph Reason

For Different Metals Of

Cathode But The Intensity
Is Fixed.
H) DIFFERENT BETWEEN CLASSICAL THEORY (WAVE THEORY) WITH MODERN PHYSICS
The classical predictions (wave theory), photoelectric experimental observation and modern theory explanation about photoelectric
experiment
CLASSICAL PREDICTION EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATION MODEN THEORY

When the light frequency is __________ than

________________, a higher rate of photons
Emission of photoelectrons occur only when
striking the metal surface results in a higher rate
Emission of photoelectrons occur for all frequency of the light exceeds the certain
of photoelectrons emitted. If it is less than
__________________ of light. Energy of light is frequency which value is characteristic of the
threshold frequency ____________________ are
independent of ________________. material being illuminated.
emitted.
Hence the emission of photoelectrons depend
on the light ________________.

The intensity of light is the number of photons

radiated per unit ______ on a unit surface area.
Based on the Einsteins photoelectric equation
The _____________ the intensity, the _________
Very low intensity but high frequency radiation : ______________________________
the energy imparted to the metal surface for
could emit photoelectrons. The maximum kinetic The maximum kinetic energy of
emission of photoelectrons. When the intensity is
energy of photoelectrons is independent of photoelectron depends only on the light
_______, the energy of the radiation is too small
light intensity. _________ and the ___________. If the light
for emission of electrons.
intensity is _______, the number of electrons
emitted also _________ but the maximum
kinetic energy remains ___________.

Light energy is spread over the wave front, the The transfer of photons energy to an electron is
amount of energy incident on any one electron is Photoelectrons are emitted from the surface of the ___________________ as its energy is absorbed
small. An electron must gather sufficient energy metal almost instantaneously after the surface is in its entirely, much like a particle to particle
before emission, hence ____________________ illuminated, even at very low light intensities. collision. The emission of photoelectron is
between absorption of light energy and emission. ___________________ and ________________
Time interval ________ if the light intensity is ___. between _________ of light energy and _______.

Energy of light depends only on ______________ According to Plancks quantum theory which is
Energy of light depends on frequency.
or _____________ and not on ______________. E=hf
Energy of light depends on its ______________.