Photoelectric Effect Module Question 18 [ENDORSED]

[Catherine Yang 3G]

Question 18 reads: In the photoelectric effect what condition must occur for an electron to be emitted from a metal surface?
The answer is both C and D:

C. E (photon) = E (remove e-)

D. E (photon) > E (remove e-)

Why is the answer not just C? At the bare minimum, doesn't the energy of the photon have to be equal to the energy required to remove the electron? Or is the question asking for all the conditions that can occur for an electron to be emitted?

[Ya Gao]

I think this question is asking for all the conditions that apply to the situation. Since electrons can be ejected when the energy of the photon is equal or greater than the energy needed to remove the electron which is work function, so choice B and C both are correct.

[204918982]

Yes the question is asking for all the conditions that apply so C and D are both right since the energy of the photon can be equal to or greater than the energy needed to remove the electron.

[Catherine Yang 3G]

Thank you!