Threshold Energy

[Hedi Zappacosta 1E]

What happens to the electron if the energy of the photon is exactly the same as the work function? Is it still removed?

[Chem_Mod]

Yes, an electron is ejected because the threshold has been met. However, the electron's KE is 0 J.

[Hedi Zappacosta 1E]

Ok thank you!

[Sameen Mahmood 3D]

The electron is still completely dissociated from the atom, it just has no kinetic energy and therefore it doesn't have movement on its own. If it does move, its because the detector has a positive charge, not because the electron has its own kinetic energy since all of the energy given by the photon is used up in meeting the workfunction.

[Hannah Pham 1D]

The electron is still removed, but it just does not have kinetic energy.