Photoelectric Effect Notes

Experiments verifying Quantum Theory of Radiation
Photoelectric Effect
Statement
Emission of electrons from the metal surface due to exposure of light of suitable
frequency, is known as photoelectric effect. The emitted electrons named as photoelectrons.
Experiment
Circuit diagram of an apparatus for studying the photoelectric effect is shown in

figure. An evacuated glass tube contains a metallic plate E (the emitter) connected to the
negative terminal of a battery and another metallic plate C (the collector) that is connected
to the positive terminal of the battery.
When the tube is kept in the dark, the galvanometer

reads zero, indicating no current in the circuit.
However, when plate E is illuminated by light
having an appropriate wavelength
(or suitable frequency), a current is detected
by the ammeter, indicating a flow of charges
across the gap between plates E and C.
This current arises from photoelectrons emitted
from plate E and collected at plate C.
Figure-2 is a plot of photoelectric current

versus potential difference 𝚫𝑽 applied between plates E
and C for two light intensities. At large values of 𝚫𝑽,
the current reaches a maximum value; all the electrons
emitted from E are collected at C, and the current cannot
increase further. In addition, the maximum current increases
as the intensity of the incident light increases, as you might
expect, because more electrons are ejected by the
higher-intensity light.
Now, if the battery in the circuit is reversed to make plate E positive and plate C
negative—the current drops because many of the photoelectrons emitted from E are
repelled by the now negative plate C. In this situation, only those photoelectrons having a
kinetic energy greater than 𝒆𝚫𝑽 reach plate C, where 𝒆 is the magnitude of the charge on
the electron. And at a certain value of 𝚫𝑽, called Stopping Potential, no electron has
enough energy (maximum kinetic energy) to encounter 𝒆𝑽, so current at the collector plate
becomes zero indicated by the ammeter. At this stage, 𝑲. 𝑬 = 𝒆𝑽 ⇒ 𝑲. 𝑬 − 𝒆𝑽 = 𝟎.
Predictions on the basis of classical theory (wave theory of light)
1. Dependence of K.E on intensity (intensity problem)
Electrons should absorb energy continuously from the electromagnetic waves. As the
light intensity incident on a metal is increased, energy should be transferred into the
metal at a higher rate and the electrons should be ejected with more kinetic energy.
2. Time interval between incidence light and emission of electrons (time delay problem)
At low light intensities, ejection of electron should take some time from the surface.
This time interval is required for the electron to absorb the incident radiation before it
acquires enough energy to escape from the metal.
3. Dependence of photoelectrons on frequency (frequency problem)
Electrons should be ejected from the metal at any incident light frequency, because
energy is transferred to the metal regardless of the incident light frequency.
4. Dependence of K.E on frequency (K.E of photoelectrons problem)
There should be no relationship between the frequency of the light and the electron
kinetic energy. The kinetic energy should be related to the intensity of the light.
Experimental evidences
1. The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is independent of light intensity (as

shown) with both curves falling to zero at the same negative voltage. The maximum
kinetic energy is proportional to the stopping potential.
2. Electrons are emitted from the surface of the metal almost instantaneously even at very
low light intensities.
3. No electrons are emitted if the incident light frequency falls below some cutoff
frequency 𝒇𝒐 regardless of the light intensity.
4. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons increases with increasing light
frequency.
All experimental results contradicts the four prediction. So the classical theory does not
hold good in explaining the above phenomena. In 1905, Einstein made a successful
explanation on the basis of quantum theory. And he was awarded Noble Prize in 1921.
Einstein assumed light as steam of quanta carrying energy 𝑬 = 𝒉𝝂 (𝝂 read as nu), having
frequency 𝝂 moves with speed of light in vacuum.
Einstein’s Explanation
1. 𝑲. 𝑬𝒎 + 𝝓 = 𝒉𝝂 shows that 𝑲. 𝑬𝒎𝒂𝒙 is independent of the light intensity. The

maximum kinetic energy of any one electron depends only on the light frequency
and the work function. If the light intensity is doubled, the number of photons
arriving per unit time is doubled, which doubles the rate at which photoelectrons are
emitted. However 𝑲. 𝑬𝒎𝒂𝒙 remains unchanged.
2. Incident energy appears in small packets, and there is a one-to-one interaction
between photons and electrons. If the incident light has very low intensity, there are
very few photons arriving per unit time interval; each photon, however, can have
sufficient energy to eject an electron immediately. (no time delay)
3. The incident photons must have energy greater than or equal to the work function 𝝓
to eject an electron, the photoelectric effect cannot be observed below a certain
cutoff frequency. None of the photoelectrons will be observed, even though many
photons per unit time are incident on the metal in a very intense light beam,
4. A photon of higher frequency carries more energy and therefore ejects a
photoelectron with more kinetic energy than does a photon of lower frequency.

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Photoelectric Effect Notes

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Experiments verifying Quantum Theory of Radiation

Circuit diagram of an apparatus for studying the photoelectric effect is shown in

When the tube is kept in the dark, the galvanometer

Figure-2 is a plot of photoelectric current

Predictions on the basis of classical theory (wave theory of light)

1. Dependence of K.E on intensity (intensity problem)

3. Dependence of photoelectrons on frequency (frequency problem)

4. Dependence of K.E on frequency (K.E of photoelectrons problem)

1. The maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is independent of light intensity (as

1. 𝑲. 𝑬𝒎 + 𝝓 = 𝒉𝝂 shows that 𝑲. 𝑬𝒎𝒂𝒙 is independent of the light intensity. The

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