Which phenomenon demonstrates the particle nature of light as explained by the photoelectric effect?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which phenomenon demonstrates the particle nature of light as explained by the photoelectric effect?
Diffraction
Interference
Emission of electrons
Refraction
The photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light, as it shows that light can be thought of as consisting of particles (photons) that can impart energy to electrons.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: Which phenomenon demonstrates the particle nature of light as explained by the photoelectric effect?
Solution: The photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light, as it shows that light can be thought of as consisting of particles (photons) that can impart energy to electrons.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that light can behave like a stream of particles called photons.
Step 2: Learn about the photoelectric effect, which is when light hits a metal surface and causes electrons to be ejected.
Step 3: Realize that for electrons to be ejected, the light must have a certain minimum energy, which is related to the frequency of the light.
Step 4: Recognize that if light were only a wave, it would not have this specific energy requirement, but since it behaves like particles, it does.
Step 5: Conclude that the photoelectric effect shows that light has a particle nature because it can transfer energy to electrons in a quantized way.
