Einstein's Photoelectric Equation and its graph

[Bloopy]

According to the equation, the graph of kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons from a metal vs the frequency of incident radiation gives a straight line.

My doubt is, what factors does the slope of this line depend on? I think it depends on the nature of metal used. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[BvU]

Hi Bloopy,

According to the equation,

It looks as if you know which equation that is. Can you write it up in a post ?

 

[Bloopy]

I know this.

 

[ZapperZ]

I know this.

This is really not an "equation". So let's start all over again. Can you write down the Einstein's photoelectric effect equation?

Zz.

 

[BvU]

I know this.

And what do you think of the mathematical description in the Wikipedia lemma right beside this picture ?

 

[Bloopy]

Can you write down the Einstein's photoelectric effect equation?

Energy supplied=Work Function + Kinetic Energy

 

[ZapperZ]

Energy supplied=Work Function + Kinetic Energy

I am not quite sure why you are being a bit difficult, or if you don't quite know what you are doing.

So, if I write this:

E_k = hf - φ

where E_k is the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons, h is the Planck constant, f is the frequency of light, and φ is the work function, do you understand that this is the photoelectric effect equation, similar to what you wrote, or do you need an explanation for this?

Zz.

 

[Bloopy]

or do you need an explanation for this?

I am on the same page as you

 

[ZapperZ]

No, I am on the same page

Not sure what page you're on, but OK.

Now, I will make the assumption that you know the mathematics for the equation of a straight line, i.e.

y = mx + b

so, I will not explain the meaning of that equation (this is the math that you should already know by the time you tackle this physics).

The graph you referred to in your original post is a graph of E_k versus f, i.e. E_k plotted in the vertical axis, and f in the horizontal axis. Make a visual identification of these two equations:

y = mx + b
E_k = hf - φ

If you identify

y→E_k

and

x→f

then what corresponds to the slope of the line? As a bonus, what corresponds to the y-intercept of the line?

Zz.