Question

Why did the quantum theory of light explain the outcome of the photoelectric effect experiment?

a. The quantum theory of light showed why high intensity light was needed to give the electrons enough energy to escape the material
b. The material only ejects electrons when there is enough of a distribution of energy across the surface, as described by quantum theory
c. The quantum theory explained why the waves needed less momentum in order to impact the electrons and knock them off
d. The material only absorbed a certain frequency of the light and the quanta of light are defined by the frequency

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot]

d. The material only absorbed a certain frequency of the light and the quanta of light are defined by the frequency. This explanation is known as the photon theory of light, which stated that light was composed of discrete packets of energy (photons) that were proportional to the frequency of the light. The photoelectric effect experiment showed that electrons were ejected from a metal surface when it was exposed to light, but only if the light had a frequency above a certain threshold. The photon theory explained why this was the case, as only photons with a high enough frequency could transfer enough energy to the electrons to knock them off the surface.