The photoelectric effect is based on the law of conservation of

The correct answer is Energy.

Key Points

• The photoelectric effect is based on the law of conservation of energy, where the energy of incident photons is transferred to electrons.
• When light of sufficient energy strikes the surface of a metal, electrons are ejected, demonstrating the conversion of photon energy into kinetic energy of the electrons.
• The work function of a material determines the minimum energy required to eject electrons from its surface.
• This phenomenon was explained by Albert Einstein in 1905 using quantum theory, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
• Photoelectric effect is a cornerstone in modern physics and supports the particle nature of light.

Additional Information

• Photon Energy:
  • Energy of a photon is given by E = hν, where h is Planck’s constant and ν is the frequency of light.
  • Photons are discrete packets of light energy that interact with electrons during the photoelectric effect.
• Work Function:
  • The work function is the minimum amount of energy required to eject electrons from the surface of a material.
  • Different metals have different work functions, influencing their photoelectric response.
• Threshold Frequency:
  • The photoelectric effect occurs only when the frequency of light is above a certain threshold value.
  • Below this frequency, no electrons are ejected regardless of the intensity of light.
• Applications:
  • Photoelectric effect is used in photoelectric cells, which are employed in automatic doors, solar panels, and light sensors.
  • It is fundamental to technologies such as spectroscopy and quantum computing.