When light is directed at a metal surface, the emitted electrons
A) are called photons.
B) have random energies.
C) have energies that depend upon the intensity of the light.
D) have energies that depend upon the frequency of the light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When light is directed at a metal surface, the emitted electrons have energies that depend upon the frequency of the light. This phenomenon is called the photoelectric effect and is described by Einstein's equation E = hf, where E is the energy of the electron, h is Planck's constant, and f is the frequency of the light. The energy of the electron is determined by the frequency of the light, not its intensity. Photons refer to individual particles of light, not emitted electrons. The energies of the emitted electrons are not random, but rather determined by the frequency of the incident light.

When Light Is Directed at a Metal Surface, the Emitted