ejecting electrons in quantized energy levels

[josephyim1L]

In "ejecting electrons" during the photoelectric experiment, doesn't the ability of the electron to be excited with kinetic energy contradict the rule that electrons only absorb energy in quantized amounts?

[Megan Wong 4E]

In the photoelectric effect, electrons are excited by incoming light (photons), not by kinetic energy. The energy of the incoming photons must be greater than or equal to the work function. If the incoming energy is greater than the threshold energy, then kinetic energy will be given off as excess energy when electrons are given off as well.

You can use this equation to describe the experiment as well: E photon = work function + kinetic energy

[Amy Lefley 1J]

I think when you reference quantized energy you are thinking about energy levels in an atom. When the electron absorbs the energy of a photon, it can only jump up to an integer amount of energy levels. If the electron absorbs enough energy to be ejected from the atom, the left over energy (photon energy minus work function) is transformed into kinetic energy, which unlike the energy levels, can be any positive value.