In the Photoelectric Effect, what is mean by 'threshold frequency' and how does the magnitude a photons frequency effect the electron it is absorbed by?

The threshold frequency is the minimum frequency a photon can be and still just overcome the work function (Φ) of a particular material. The threshold frequency is directly proportional to the work function and is given by f=E/h, where E is equal to Φ, f is the threshold frequency and h is Planck's constant.Providing the frequency of the photon is greater than the threshold frequency, the electron absorbing the photon will escape the material. However, if the frequency of the photon is greater than this the electron will have excess energy after escaping the surface of the material, which is present as kinetic energy, given by Ek = E - Φ (E is given by E=hf).

JH

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How would you calculate the vertical and horizontal components of the velocity of an object with an initial velocity of 15m/s which is travelling upwards at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal?


A basketball player throws his ball vertically upwards with an initial speed of v=40 m/s. Ignore air resistance. What is the speed of the ball at half of the maximum height?


A light wave has a wavelength of 420nm, calculate the energy of this wave in joules.


What height do geostationary satellites orbit above the Earths surface?