Question

According to wave theory, how should greater radiation intensity affect the energy absorbed by each electron?

Options

• It should make the energy absorbed by each electron per unit time very small

• It should establish a threshold frequency

• It should make photoelectric emission instantaneous

• It should lead to greater energy absorbed by each electron

Answer 1

Wave theory connects greater intensity with greater field amplitudes and, therefore, greater energy absorbed by each electron. This predicted dependence on intensity conflicts with the observed features of photoelectric emission.