What is the Cut-off Frequency and How Does it Affect Signal Processing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aafia
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Frequency
AI Thread Summary
Cut-off frequency refers to the specific frequency at which a signal's amplitude begins to significantly decrease, impacting signal processing. In the context of the photoelectric effect, it is the frequency below which light does not have enough energy to eject electrons from a metal surface. The cut-off frequency varies across different applications, such as in electrical circuits and radio tuners. Understanding this concept is crucial as it can differ based on context and the specific equations involved. Overall, cut-off frequency plays a vital role in determining the behavior of signals in various scientific and engineering fields.
Aafia
Messages
70
Reaction score
1
This term is new for me so explain it simply ... and give a simple definition about cutt off frequency
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Aafia said:
This term is new for me so explain it simply ... and give a simple definition about cutt off frequency
Please give an example of where you have seen this.

If you've seen it on the internet, give a link, otherwise give the sentence i
 
DrGreg said:
Please give an example of where you have seen this.

If you've seen it on the internet, give a link, otherwise give the sentence i
I have seen it in physics book chapter about light and the topic is photoelectric effect ..
 
Thanks. :smile:

So you probably know that when you shine light on a metal surface, it ejects electrons. As the frequency of the light increases, the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons increases. As the frequency of the light decreases, the maximum KE of the electrons decreases, and there is a certain frequency at which the maximum KE of the electrons becomes zero. Below that frequency, the photoelectric effect doesn't happen. We call that the "cutoff frequency."

In general, a word or phrase can be used on more than one context, with different meanings in each context. Furthermore, different authors may use the same word in different ways, even though they agree on the mathematics that goes along with it. That's why it's important to tell us what you're reading about, and where you read it, and whatever equations go along with it, if any.

In this case, I can imagine "cutoff frequency" also being used to describe some kinds of electrical circuits, e.g. radio tuners.
 
Thanks
 
Back
Top