Einstein's photoelectric equation states that the maximum kinetic energy of an emitted electron is
- A. hf plus the work function
- B. hf minus the work function
- C. the work function minus hf
- D. hf multiplied by the work function
Explanation
The photon energy hf is spent first on freeing the electron from the metal, which costs the work function, and whatever remains appears as kinetic energy. If hf is less than the work function nothing is emitted at all, which defines the threshold frequency. A graph of maximum kinetic energy against frequency is a straight line of gradient h.
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