Photoelectric effect minimum frequency

In summary, the minimum frequency of photon required for an electron to be ejected is fmin. It is not possible for an electron to absorb 2 photons of frequency fmin/2 and be ejected, as the probability of this occurring is significantly reduced. However, if there are multiple energy levels for the electron to occupy, there is a possibility that it can be hit by a photon and then another photon before it de-excites. In this case, the electron will dissipate the energy before being hit by the second photon.
  • #1
Delta2
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Assume fmin is the minimum frequency of photon required for the electron to be ejected.
Why can't we have an electron absorbing 2 photons of frequency fmin/2 thus the total energy will be 2h*(fmin/2)=h*fmin thus the electron to be ejected?
 
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  • #2
The probability of absorbing two photons is down by a factor of at least 100.
 
  • #3
clem said:
The probability of absorbing two photons is down by a factor of at least 100.

So it still can, but it is just unlikely?

What happens when you have many energy levels for the electron to go, so that when the photon hits it it can exist at a higher energy level, and then is hit by another photon before it becomes de-excited?

In The case of no higher energy levels then the electron has no where to go after being hit by first photon and will dissipate the energy before being hit by the second.
 

Related to Photoelectric effect minimum frequency

1. What is the photoelectric effect minimum frequency?

The photoelectric effect minimum frequency is the minimum frequency of light required to eject an electron from a metal surface. This frequency is different for each metal and is known as the threshold frequency.

2. How does the photoelectric effect minimum frequency relate to the intensity of light?

The intensity of light does not affect the photoelectric effect minimum frequency. The minimum frequency is solely determined by the material and its work function, which is the minimum amount of energy needed to remove an electron from the surface of the material.

3. What is the significance of the photoelectric effect minimum frequency?

The photoelectric effect minimum frequency is significant because it was one of the key observations that led to the development of quantum mechanics. It also helped to prove the particle nature of light, as opposed to the previously accepted theory of light as a wave.

4. Can the photoelectric effect minimum frequency be measured experimentally?

Yes, the photoelectric effect minimum frequency can be measured experimentally by gradually increasing the frequency of incident light on a metal surface until electrons are ejected. The minimum frequency can then be determined by finding the threshold frequency at which no electrons are ejected.

5. How does the photoelectric effect minimum frequency support Einstein's theory of photons?

Einstein's theory of photons states that light is made up of particles, or photons, with discrete energy levels. The photoelectric effect minimum frequency supports this theory by showing that a minimum amount of energy (equal to the energy of a photon) is needed to eject an electron from a metal surface. This energy is directly proportional to the frequency of light, providing evidence for the quantized nature of light.

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