Write three characteristic features in photoelectric effect that cannot be explained on the basis of wave theory of light, but can be explained only using Einstein's equation.
Solution
Following are the three characteristic features in photoelectric effect that cannot be explained on the basis of the wave theory of light but can be explained only using Einstein's equation:
1. For a given metal and frequency of incident radiation, the number of photoelectrons ejected per second is directly proportional to the intensity of the incident light.
2. For a given metal, there exists a certain minimum frequency of the incident radiation below which no emission of photoelectrons takes place. This frequency is called threshold frequency.
3. Above the threshold frequency, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectron is independent of the intensity of the incident light and is dependent only upon the frequency (or wavelength) of the incident light.
