Increasing photon energy [ENDORSED]

[Vikramjeet Gill 1C]

Im still confused on why a large wavelength of light is not able to eject e- from a metal. How does having a higher frequency increase the energy of the photons?

[Laura Gong 3H]

The longer wavelength of light has a lower frequency that does not carry enough energy to eject one electron, even when you increase the intensity (amplitude) of the wave. That is what they discovered in the photoelectric experiment, pointing to the fact that light also has properties of particles.

Higher frequency wavelengths carry more energy. Imagine being hit by a wave every 10 seconds versus being hit by a wave every 60 seconds. Which frequency of waves is most likely going to make you fall over?

[Fayez Kanj]

Hello!

Basically, frequency is directly proportional to energy, meaning that the higher the frequency of a light wave, the more energy is carries. Thus, a higher frequency = more energy = electrons will be displaced from the metal.

Intensity is directly proportional to the number of photons. So, a higher intensity will have a higher number of photons. However, if each individual photon doesn't have enough energy to eject an electron, then simply adding more photons will have no effect.

Hope this helps :)