Photons of red light cause a surface to emit photoelectrons with maximum kinetic energy K(red). If photons of blue light of the same intensity are now used in the experiment, which of the following statements is true about the photoelectrons emitted (if any are emitted)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Blue light has a shorter wavelength (and thus higher energy) than red light. According to the photoelectric effect, the kinetic energy of photoelectrons is determined by the energy of the incident photons. Since blue light photons have more energy than red light photons, the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted by blue light (K(blue)) will be greater than that emitted by red light (K(red)).

Photons of Red Light Cause a Surface to Emit Photoelectrons