Photoelectric effect

The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons from a usually metallic surface upon exposure to, and absorption of, electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light or ultraviolet radiation. An older term for the photoelectric effect was the Hertz effect, though this phrase has fallen out of current use.http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/HertzEffect.html

Introduction

Upon exposing a metallic surface to, and absorption of, electromagnetic radiation that is above the threshold frequency (particular to each type of surface) a current is produced. No electrons are emitted for radiation below the threshold frequency, as they cannot gain sufficient energy to overcome their atomic bonding (the material's work function). The electrons that are emitted are often termed photoelectrons in many textbooks.

Related Topics:
Current - Work function

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The photoelectric effect helped further wave-particle duality, whereby physical systems (photons, in this case) can display both wave-like and particle-like properties and behaviours, a concept that was used by the creators of quantum mechanics. The photoelectric effect was explained mathematically by Albert Einstein extending the work on quanta developed by Max Planck.

Related Topics:
Wave-particle duality - Photon - Quantum mechanics - Albert Einstein - Max Planck

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