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Questions
How does one explain the emission of electrons from a photosensitive surface with the help of Einstein's photoelectric equation?
Using photon picture of light, show how Einstein’s photoelectric equation can be established.
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Solution
n photoelectric effect, an electron absorbs a quantum of energy (hν) of radiation. If this quantum of energy exceeds the minimum energy needed for the electron to escape from the metal surface (work function ϕ0), the electron is emitted with maximum kinetic energy
Kmax = hν - ϕ0
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