Light & Electrons: Effects of Color on Sodium Metal Electron Release

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The discussion centers on the impact of light color on electron release from a sodium metal surface, specifically through the lens of the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect, as explained by Einstein, states that light can transfer energy to electrons in a metal, causing them to be ejected. The frequency of the light is crucial; only photons with sufficient energy can release electrons, regardless of light intensity. Higher intensity light increases the number of photons, which can lead to more electrons being ejected, but if the frequency is too low, no electrons will be released. The conversation emphasizes the importance of photon energy and frequency in this phenomenon.
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What effect does the color of the light have on the release of electrons from a sodium metal surface?

(a) Write a brief experimental design to answer this question
(b) Would you expect all the colors of light to release electrons from the sodium metal? Justify your answer using the idea of photons.

I think it has something to do with Bohr or photons?? I don't know where to start.
 
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No,it has to do with the explanation A.Einstein found exactly 100 yrs ago to the PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT...

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
No,it has to do with the explanation A.Einstein found exactly 100 yrs ago to the PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT...

Daniel.


So, I just explain the photoelectric effect for (a).

I know this about it, but I don't know how to explain it (I think this is right):
The photoelectric effect says that when you shine light on a metal it transfers to the electron.

Higher intensity light has more photons, and so will knock out more electrons. However, if the frequency of the light is such that a single photon is not energetic enough to release an electron from the surface, then none will be ejected no matter how intense the light.
 
Last edited:
Yes,that's pretty much what happens.

Daniel.
 
Roxy said:
The photoelectric effect says that when you shine light on a metal it transfers to the electron.
Transfers what ?
 
energy? .
 
Energy and momentum,of course...

Was the question intended for you...?:confused:

Daniel.
 

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