photoelectric experiments EMR spectrum

[Megan_Ervin_1F]

In photoelectric experiments, typically what part of the EMR spectrum is the incoming light?

[Mindy Kim 4C]

The light source is typically from the UV region because light from the UV region has shorter wavelengths and higher frequency, hence higher energy.

[gwynlu1L]

yes, typically UV light is used. I believe in the original experiments, they used visible light but with no results. So, using UV light, with shorter wavelength and higher frequency, there was then enough energy to remove electrons. You can also think about how UV light is dangerous to our skin, since it has more energy than visible light.