Photo Electric Effect

// Photoelectric Effect
- Discovered by hertz in 1887.
- The phenomenon of emission of electrons from the surface of certain substances,
when suitable radiations of certain frequency or wavelength are incident upon it is
called photoelectric effect.

> On Basis of Wave Theory

Light, as per wave theory, consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
When it strikes a metal surface, free electrons absorb energy from it, leading to their
release when they gain enough energy to overcome their binding force.

> On Basis of Photon Theory

In the photon theory of light, light is made up of particles called photons, each carrying
energy E = hv (where h is Planck's constant and v is frequency). When photons strike a
metal surface, they can transfer energy to electrons. If this energy exceeds the electron's
binding energy, the electron is ejected, gaining kinetic energy from the surplus energy.

// Experiments
- Hertz Experiment
.- Hertz observed that when UV rays are incident on negative plate of electric
discharge tube then conduction takes place easily in the tube.

- Hallwach Experiment
.- Hallwach observed that if negatively charged Zn particle is illuminated by UV
light, its negative charge decreases and it becomes neutral an after sometime it
gains positive charge. It means in the effect of light; some negative charged
particles are emitted from the metal.

- Lenard Explanation
.- He told that when ultraviolet rays are incident on cathode, electrons are ejected.
These electrons are attracted by anode and circuit is completed due to flow of
electrons and current flows. When U.V. rays incident on anode, electrons are
ejected but current does not flow. For the photo electric effect the light of short
wavelength (or high frequency) is more effective than the light of long wavelength
(or low frequency).