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The photoelectric effect
Explore the photoelectric effect within quantum physics. Some interactions transfer energy in discrete amounts. Photon energy links frequency to the photoelectric effect, while diffraction reveals the wave behaviour of particles.
Specification outcomes (7)
- 4.5.2(a)(i) Describe and explain the photoelectric effect and its experimental demonstration.
- 4.5.2(a)(ii) Demonstrate the photoelectric effect using apparatus such as a gold-leaf electroscope and zinc plate.
- 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.
- 4.5.2(e) State that maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons is independent of radiation intensity.
- 4.5.2(f) State that rate of emission of photoelectrons above threshold frequency is proportional to radiation intensity.
H156 v2.0 · May 2026
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