These notes cover Section G as per the IEB Physical Science SAGS. Included are comprehensive notes on the Photoelectric Effect and Emission spectra. Included are annotated explanations as well as worked examples. Although these notes are detailed, practicing textbook examples and past papers is imp...
Photoelectric effect: the process that occurs when light shines on a metal and
electrons are ejected
Light shines on a specific
metal If the specific light hits a specific
metal with enough energy, electrons
move away from the metal.
-this process can be used to harvest
energy as moving electrons create
current
Significance of the photoelectric effect: it establishes the quantum theory and it
illustrates the particle nature of light
LIGHT
𝑐 = 𝑓𝜆
c: the speed of light in a vacuum. It is constant 3 × 108 𝑚. 𝑠 −1
f: frequency (Hz)
𝜆: 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ (𝑚)
ENERGY OF A PHOTON
• A photon is a particle of energy that is a quantum of the electromagnetic field
• They are particles which transmit light
• The energy of a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of light (the higher
the frequency, the higher the energy of the photon)
𝐸 = ℎ𝑓
E: energy
h: plank’s constant (h= 6,67 × 10−34 )
f: frequency/ threshold frequency (Hz)
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