Topic 1B Quantum Theory, Figure 1B.6

[Timothy Li 3A]

Could someone explain to me what this figure means?

The caption says "When photons strike a metal, no electrons are ejected unless the incident radiation has a frequency above a value characteristic of the metal," but I'm not sure what the value characteristic of the metal means.

[Kenneth Lin 2G]

I believe this statement says that the photon must have enough frequency, which in turn means energy to meet the necessary energy of the metal. Based on the problem's phrasing, the value characteristic is essentially the work function because the question would be saying the photon must have a great enough frequency/energy to overcome the work function of the metal.

[Naya Fullerton 2L]

Hi,

By "value characteristic of the metal," it just means that for every metal there is a frequency that is specific to that metal, and the frequency of the incoming photon must be equal to or greater than that frequency for the electron to be ejected.