The photoelectric effect happens when light waves are absorbed by a surface and electrons are emitted. Scientists once thought that the energy of those electrons was proportional to the intensity of the light. However, experiments showed that the maximum energy of the electrons did not depend on the intensity of the light. Instead, the energy increased as the frequency of the light increased. Below a certain frequency, the effect did not occur.
What can be inferred from the paragraph?
A: Electrons are released when light hits a surface.
B: The absorption of light causes electrons to gain energy.
C: Energy increases as frequency of light increases.
D: The maximum energy of electrons does not depend on light intensity.
The correct inferences from the paragraph are:
A: Electrons are released when light hits a surface.
C: Energy increases as frequency of light increases.
D: The maximum energy of electrons does not depend on light intensity.
What would be the best answer?
The best answer would be:
D: The maximum energy of electrons does not depend on light intensity.
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All of the options can be inferred from the paragraph. However, the most direct inference is option D: The maximum energy of electrons does not depend on light intensity.
All of the options provided in the question can be inferred from the paragraph to some extent. However, the paragraph primarily supports answers B, C, and D. Let's break down the reasoning for each option:
A: Electrons are released when light hits a surface.
This can be inferred from the opening statement of the paragraph, which states that "the photoelectric effect happens when light waves are absorbed by a surface and electrons are emitted."
B: The absorption of light causes electrons to gain energy.
The paragraph mentions that "scientists once thought that the energy of those electrons was proportional to the intensity of the light." This implies that the energy gained by the electrons is associated with the absorption of light.
C: Energy increases as the frequency of light increases.
According to the paragraph, "experiments showed that the maximum energy of the electrons did not depend on the intensity of the light. Instead, the energy increased as the frequency of the light increased." This supports the idea that the energy of the emitted electrons is directly related to the frequency of the light.
D: The maximum energy of electrons does not depend on light intensity.
The paragraph explicitly mentions that the maximum energy of the electrons "did not depend on the intensity of the light." So, this inference directly matches the information provided in the paragraph.
In conclusion, while option A is supported by the paragraph, options B, C, and D have more direct evidence and are thus more strongly inferred.