In his explanation of the threshold frequency in the photoelectric effect, Einstein reasoned that the absorbed photon must have the minimum energy required to dislodge an electron from the metal surface. This energy is called the work function of that metal. What is the longest wavelength of radiation (in nm) that could cause the photoelectric effect in each of the following metals?
(a) Potassium, work function = 3.68 10-19 J
(b) Tungsten, work function = 7.16 10-19 J
(c) Silver, work function = 7.59 10-19 J
2007-11-05 08:55:32 · 2 answers · asked by Audre 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Is this a homework exercise? Does it help if we do your homework for you?
2007-11-05 08:59:21 · answer #1 · answered by Steve C 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ans 1 Not right. Firstly you need to know that light is not a normal wave. Rather it is a wave of particles or bundles of light called photons. The energy on each photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the light. So the higher the frequency the higher the energy of each photon Each electron needs a minimum amount of energy to break free from the atom. (Work Function) But each electron can only receive one photon. So it needs a minimum frequency (threshold frequency) in order to to be emitted. If so it is emitted, if not it is not emitted. 2 No The light needs to be above a certain frequency (threshold frequency) in the first place, but after that its the higher the amount of light energy the higher the electrons. Hope this helps
2016-05-28 00:36:30 · answer #2 · answered by marybeth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋