modern physics

Photoelectric Effect

Recreate Einstein's Nobel Prize experiment in 3D. Fire photons at a metal plate, vary frequency and intensity, and watch electrons eject when the threshold frequency is exceeded.

Photoelectric

A-Level

The photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light. Electrons are emitted from a metal surface only when incident light exceeds a threshold frequency — regardless of intensity. This cannot be explained by classical wave theory. Einstein proposed that light consists of photons with energy E = hf.

Frequency8.0×10¹⁴ Hz

Intensity5.0arb.

Work Function4.3eV

📐 Formulas

E = hf = \frac{hc}{\lambda}Energy of a single photon

E_k = hf - \phiKinetic energy of ejected electron

eV_s = hf - \phiVoltage that stops electrons

h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}\,\text{J·s}Fundamental constant

📋 Syllabus

AQA3.2.2.1

EdexcelTopic 13

OCR6.5.1