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Wave frequency and photon energy One photon supplies one electron’s energy Photoelectron energy determines its maximum speed Accelerating voltage becomes electron kinetic energy LED voltage links electrical and photon energy A Planck-constant experiment needs uncertainty analysis Waves4.4 Quantum physics4.5 Measurements and uncertainty2.2.1 Kinetic and potential energies3.3.2 E.m.f. and potential difference4.2.2 Photons4.5.1 The photoelectric effect4.5.2
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Physics connection

One photon supplies one electron’s energy

OCR A AS Physics · Two ideas, one explanation

A photon must supply the work function before an electron can leave a metal. Any remaining energy can appear as the electron’s kinetic energy.

hf = Φ + KEmax

Follow the reasoning

  1. Calculate photon energy using frequency or wavelength.
  2. Express the work function in the same energy unit.
  3. Subtract the work function and check whether emission is possible.
Specification outcomes (5)
  • 4.5.1(c) Use E = hf and E = hc / λ to calculate energy of a photon.
  • 4.5.1(d) Define the electronvolt (eV) as a unit of energy.
  • 4.5.2(b) Explain that photoelectric emission involves a one-to-one interaction between a photon and a surface electron.
  • 4.5.2(c) Use Einstein’s photoelectric equation hf = Φ + KEmax.
  • 4.5.2(d) Define work function and threshold frequency.
Open the official OCR AS specification ↗

H156 v2.0 · May 2026

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