B.Sc. Sem.

– V Paper- Quantum Mechanics, Atomic & Molecular

(Physics) II Spectroscopy and Nuclear Physics

Institute for Excellence in Higher

Education (IEHE), Bhopal

Photo Electric Effect

Dr. Amit Jain,
Associate Professor of Physics
IEHE, Bhopal, (M.P.), INDIA
jainamit38@gmail.com
+91-9407255901
 Learning Objectives

What is Photo Electric Effect

Experimental Observations of Photo Electric

effect

Why wave theory could not explain the

observations

Einstein’s Explanation to Photo Electric Effect

 Photo Electric Effect
In 1887, Heinrich Hertz showed that
an electric discharge between the
two electrodes occurs when
ultraviolet light falls on one of the
electrodes called as photoelectric
emission.

During the years 1888–1902, Wilhelm https://encrypted-

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the phenomenon of photoelectric emission sqp=CAU

in detail.
 Photo Electric Effect

When UV rays or EMR is fall

on a metal surface (like
Zinc) the electrons freed
from surface and emits
from the surface of metal.
This phenomenon is known
as Photo Electric Effect
(प्रकाश विद्युत् प्रभाि).
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 Photo Electric Effect (Observations)
When the potential across anode with
respect to cathode is varied, then the
photocurrent increases and slowly gets
saturated.

The magnitude of the current depends

on the intensity of the light.

Stopping potential depends on the

frequency of the light. (Kmax =
maximum kinetic energy of the
photoelectron = eV0)
https://i.stack.imgur.com/7hSi6m.jpg
 (Summary of Observations)
Emission of photo-electron occurs only when the
𝝊 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 > 𝝊𝟎 . This minimum frequency 𝜐0 is called the
Threshold frequency (दे हली आवतृ ि).

Maximum (K.E.)max of emitted electron is dependent on

frequency of incident light and not on its intensity.

Number of emitted electrons depends on the intensity of the

incident light and not on its frequency.

Electrons emits from the metal surface as the light falls it

without any time lag.
 Photo Electric Effect (Wave Th vs Obs.)
Observation As Per Wave Theory

Photo-electrons Photoelectron should

emitted from metal emit from the surface
surface for a particular of metal at any
metal (cathode) only frequency of light if
when 𝝊 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 > 𝝊𝟎 the intensity of light
(𝜐0 is a cut provides the sufficient
off/Threshold energy to pull out the
frequency) electrons.
 Photo Electric Effect (Wave Th vs Obs.)
Observation As Per Wave Theory

Since 𝑰 ∝ 𝑨𝟐 . It means
Maximum when intensity increases
(K.E.)max is the energy carried by the
dependent on wave will also increase.
So, the K.E. of the
frequency and ejected photo-electron
not on intensity should also increase, on
of light. increasing intensity of
light.
 Photo Electric Effect (Wave Th vs Obs.)
Observation As Per Wave Theory

Radiation energy will get

distributed to all the
Electrons emits electrons present in
from the metal irradiated area, therefore it
surface as the light must take some time to
falls it without any acquire the energy for
time lag. emission of electron.
(There must be a time lag
between light falling and
flow of photo-current).
 Einstein Explanation to the PE Effect

In 1905 Einstein explained the PE effect on the basis

of Plank’s quantum theory.

According to it, light travels in the form of small

packets of energy called photons having energy
𝐸 = ℎ𝜐

According to Einstein the intensity of light depends

on the number of these photons.
 Einstein Explanation to the PE Effect
When the radiation of frequency 𝝊 is incident on metal surface, the
energy of each incident photon is 𝒉𝝊, which is gained by the electron
present inside the metal. This energy is used up in two ways:

A part of energy is used up in The remaining part of the

making the electron free from
the metal surface. This energy is
called the Work function or the
Threshold energy. It is different
for different metals. It is
denoted by 𝜙.
𝝓 = 𝒉𝝊𝟎
𝜐0 is threshold frequency.
energy is used up in providing
kinetic energy to the free
electron. So, K.E. of emitted
electron is
𝟏
𝑬𝒌 = 𝒎𝒗𝟐
𝟐
Where 𝒎 and 𝒗 are the mass
and velocity of electron resp.
 Einstein Explanation to the PE Effect

From law of conservation of energy,

𝒉𝝊 = 𝑬𝒌 + 𝝓

Thus, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electron is

given as

𝐸𝑘 = ℎ𝜐 − 𝜙 = ℎ𝜐 − ℎ𝜐0

This is called Einstein’s photo-electric equation.

Einstein Explanation to the PE Effect

𝐸𝑘 = ℎ𝜐 − 𝜙 = ℎ𝜐 − ℎ𝜐0
Since, 𝜙 is constant for a metal, hence
𝐸𝑘 ∝ 𝜐 (So, 𝐸𝑘 is frequency dependent)
Hence, 𝐸𝑘 does not depend on intensity of light.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
Einstein Explanation to the PE Effect

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 Einstein Explanation to the PE Effect
Higher the number of photons (higher intensity),
higher the number of photo-electrons emitted (or
the photo-electric current).
Photo-electric current depends on the intensity
of incident light.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed

under CC BY-SA-NC
https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.10mvOY3PX14IlrIUK59RmwHaEK&pid=Api&P=0&w=282&h=159
 Work Function of Various Metals

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 Photo Electric Effect

The quantum theory could successfully explain

the photo-electric effect.

In other words, we can say that the photo electric

effect verifies the quantum nature of light.

In 1921, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for

the successful explanation of photo electric effect.
 Recap

Photo Electric Effect

Experimental Observations of Photo Electric

effect

Wave theory fails to explain the Photo Electric

Effect

Einstein’s Explanation to Photo Electric Effect

 Extended Learning
• https://physics.info/photoelectric/
• https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/photoelectric/latest/
photoelectric.html?simulation=photoelectric (Java Simulation)
• https://opentextbc.ca/universityphysicsv3openstax/chapter/p
hotoelectric-effect/
 Assignment
Suppose that in the photoelectric-effect experiment
we make a plot of the detected current versus the
applied potential difference.

What information do we obtain from such a plot?

Can we determine from it the value of Planck’s

constant?

Can we determine the work function of the metal?

 Assignment

Which aspects of the photoelectric effect cannot be

explained by classical physics?

The metals Sodium, Iron, and Molybdenum have

work functions 2.5 eV, 3.9 eV, and 4.2 eV,
respectively. Which of these metals will emit
photoelectrons when illuminated with 400 nm light?