# Photoelectric Effect Classical Breakdown

baseballfan_ny
Homework Statement:
In the photoelectric effect, photoelectrons sometimes leave the surface at es-
sentially the instant that the light is turned on. This is in contrast to the classical picture, in
which it would take a certain amount of time for enough energy to have been accumulated
at the surface of the metal. Suppose that a very weak beam of light of wavelength ##\lambda## and power W were to land on a piece of metal of work function ##\phi##, starting at time t = 0. The first photoelectron is observed at a time t = ##\tau## . How small must ##\tau## be if the measurement is to be incompatible with the classical picture of light?
Relevant Equations:
##KE_{max} = E_{incoming} - \phi##
##E_{incoming} = \frac {hc} {\lambda}##
##P = \frac {Work} {t} ##
So I'm kind of confused about how to interpret the question and the idea of there being a small enough ##\tau## for the classical picture to break down.

I started with the max KE eqn: ##KE_{max} = E_{incoming} - \phi##

I suppose ##E_{incoming}## is the power (W) times time and that is also equal to the Planck energy...
## E_{incoming} =W*\tau = \frac {hc} {\lambda}##

And then I just solved for ##\tau##.

##\tau = \frac {hc} {W\lambda}##.

Is this even close? I feel like I'm really missing something here.

sethshoneman
You did seem to obtain an answer relevant to the variables given when equating:
## E_{incoming} =W*\tau## and ## E_{incoming} =\frac {hc} {\lambda}##

However, I fail to see where your use of the max KE eqn came in, as you said that it was your starting point. This might be due to a gap in my own knowledge, but I was wondering if you used it at all here?

baseballfan_ny
You did seem to obtain an answer relevant to the variables given when equating:
## E_{incoming} =W*\tau## and ## E_{incoming} =\frac {hc} {\lambda}##

However, I fail to see where your use of the max KE eqn came in, as you said that it was your starting point. This might be due to a gap in my own knowledge, but I was wondering if you used it at all here?

Thanks for the reply. You're right I started with the KE equation and then totally forgot about it, so I probably shouldn't have written it in the first place. Is that equation relevant here? I'm not sure I'm using the right tools to find how small ##\tau## should be for classical breakdown.

sethshoneman
I would wait for a more experienced responder than me, honestly. All I can say is that if those are the relevant equations (given to you, or taught) that does seem to be a reasonable method. I apologize but the only advice I have for now is to possibly see if solving for KE would be relevant, and if so substituting another value of
##E_{incoming}## into the equation, and utilizing the given work function.

I wish I could be more precise, but my own knowledge is very limited. Good luck!

baseballfan_ny
baseballfan_ny
I would wait for a more experienced responder than me, honestly. All I can say is that if those are the relevant equations (given to you, or taught) that does seem to be a reasonable method. I apologize but the only advice I have for now is to possibly see if solving for KE would be relevant, and if so substituting another value of
##E_{incoming}## into the equation, and utilizing the given work function.

I wish I could be more precise, but my own knowledge is very limited. Good luck!

Edit: Still working on this problem so if anyone has any feedback please do let me know :) thanks.

Homework Helper
Gold Member
Think classically. The EM wave delivers energy continuously at a constant rate of energy units per time unit. If all that energy were absorbed by a single electron, how long must the electron "wait" until it has collected enough energy to leave the surface?

Similar problem: You are stuck in Nowheresville completely broke. You get a job flipping burgers to make enough money for a $125.00 bus ticket home. Your pay is$0.25 per minute. What is the minimum time that you must work to make enough money to leave Nowheresville?

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baseballfan_ny
baseballfan_ny
Think classically. The EM wave delivers energy continuously at a constant rate of energy units per time unit. If all that energy were absorbed by a single electron, how long must the electron "wait" until it has collected enough energy to leave the surface?

Similar problem: You are stuck in Nowheresville completely broke. You get a job flipping burgers to make enough money for a $125.00 bus ticket home. Your pay is$0.25 per minute. What is the minimum time that you must work to make enough money to leave Nowheresville?

Thanks for the response. I think this is starting to make sense now.

Starting with the analogous question you gave, the minimum time should be the money required divided by the rate of income, which gives 500 minutes.

I suppose in a similar manner, the minimum time in the classical picture would just be the minimum energy required divided by the rate of energy; any ##\tau## smaller than that would be incompatible with the classical picture of light.

So I suppose the minimum energy required would be just enough to eject an electron with 0 KE, that would be ##\frac {hc} {\lambda} = \phi##?

So then the minimum time in the classical picture is just this minimum energy divided by the power, ##\frac {hc} {\lambda*W} = \frac {\phi} {W}##

So it would just be ##\tau \lt \frac {hc} {\lambda*W} = \frac {\phi} {W}## for the classical picture to break down?

Edit: Actually I suppose it would be better to say ##\tau \lt \frac {\phi} {W}## rather than ##\tau \lt \frac {hc} {\lambda*W}## since we just need the minimum energy to eject an electron and we don't know whether or not ##\lambda## exceeds our threshold.