When light above the threshold frequency of a metal is shone on the metal, photoelectrons are emitted. If the power of the light halves, are the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons and/or the number of photoelectrons altered, and if so, how?

When the power of the light is halved, there are half as many photons per unit time. Therefore, the number of photoelectrons emitted is also halved. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons depends on the frequency of the light, so the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons does not change, because the frequency of the light has not changed.

SS
Answered by Sam S. Physics tutor

1666 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A stone is thrown horizontally at 5m/s from a platform 10m above ground. Find time till impact with ground.


Single electrons travelling at 550 ms^-1 are passed through a diffraction grating with a spacing between the slits of 2.5 micrometers. What would the angle between the zeroth and first maximum of the resulting interference pattern be?


A transmitter from a researcher's boat sends a signal to the seabed of waves speed 300m/s and it takes 5 seconds for the signal to return back to the boat. Calculate the depth of the sea there.


Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit T² ∝ r ³ where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning