In the photoelectric effect, what is the relationship between the energy of the incident photon and the kinetic energy of the emitted electron?

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Q: In the photoelectric effect, what is the relationship between the energy of the incident photon and the kinetic energy of the emitted electron?

Solution: The kinetic energy of the emitted electron is equal to the energy of the incident photon minus the work function of the metal.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand that a photon is a particle of light that carries energy.
Step 2: Know that when a photon hits a metal surface, it can transfer its energy to an electron in the metal.
Step 3: Recognize that each metal has a specific amount of energy required to release an electron, called the work function.
Step 4: The energy of the incident photon is compared to the work function of the metal.
Step 5: If the energy of the photon is greater than the work function, the excess energy becomes the kinetic energy of the emitted electron.
Step 6: The relationship can be expressed as: Kinetic Energy of emitted electron = Energy of incident photon - Work function of the metal.