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The energy of the photons
'E' is given by
E = h f,
where 'h' is Planck's constant and 'f' is
the frequency of the light. |
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Einstein's explanation of the
photoelectric effect assumes that the photons of light transfer
their energy to the electrons in the metal target.
The photons penetrate the surface of the metal and transfer
some of their energy to the electrons which are subsequently
ejected from the metal. This only happens for photons
above a certain energy as there is a minimum energy requirement
for electrons to be able to leave the metal. Einstein
received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for this work.
The photoelectric effect was studied in detail by Robert
Millikan who also measured the charge of the electron – he
was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1923. |
The Nobel Prize in Physics 1923 - Robert
Andrews Millikan »
The Nobel Prize in Physics 1921 - Albert
Einstein »
