In the Photoelectric effect, Why does increasing the light intensity have no effect on the energy of the electron emitted?

The equation to calculate the energy of an emitted electron is: E = hf - φ, where E is the energy of the electron emitted, is the Planck's constant, f is the frequency of the light and φ is the work function of the metal which is the minimum energy required to emit an electron. Here you can see that nothing is dependant on light intensity because the intensity is essentially the number of photons and does not increase nor decrease the energy of a single photon, therefore has no effect on the energy of an electron emitted. 

If the light has enough energy to emit a photon i.e. has a high enough frequency, then the light intensity will increase the probability of an electron being emitted from the metal.  

PK
Answered by Pankaj K. Physics tutor

24156 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Can you talk me through how to solve problems on projectiles? I always get confused


What is the difference between distance and displacement?


What speed do satellites orbit at?


Explain the photo-electric effect and how the particle theory of light explains the phenomena. State the equation used to the determine the kinetic energy of a photo-electron and explain the origin of the terms used in your equation.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning