A surface is illuminated by light and emits photoelectrons. The intercept (value corresponding to the place where the curve intersects the y axis) of the graph of the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectrons as a function of the frequency of the incident light is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intercept of the graph of the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectrons as a function of the frequency of the incident light represents the work function. This is because the work function is the minimum energy needed to remove an electron from the surface of the material, and it corresponds to the point where the frequency is just enough to overcome this energy barrier without providing additional kinetic energy to the ejected electrons.

A Surface Is Illuminated by Light and Emits Photoelectrons