What is the photoelectric effect ? (high school physics)

The photoelectric effect is a physical phenomenon at the heart of many recent technologies like solar energy production using photovoltaic panels and digital cameras.

In this video, we will look into how it works: a photon is absorbed by an electron at the surface of a material. If the photon is energetic enough, it can provide the electron with enough kinetic energy to escape from the material.

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MUSIC ALBUM
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Physics Made Easy « The soundtracks ». Listen here :
If you like it, purchase a download (this would encourage me sooo much!)

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DETAILED CONTENT OF THE VIDEO
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In the introduction, we will realize that a photon is a quanta of energy that can be determined by multiplying Planck’s constant with the frequency associated with the photon.

In the first section, we will discuss how the photoelectric effect occurs and present Einstein’s equation for photoelectricity. KEmax = Eph – PHY. It will be the opportunity to discuss the concept of work function of a material.

The second section will go a little deeper by defining what the ‘max’ subscript in the photoelectric equation means. We will learn why the electrons emitted do not all have the same kinetic energy.

Finally, the conclusion will summarize the notions discussed and open the door to new explorations. For example, how to determine experimentally the work function of a material, or more fundamentally, how to use a photoelectric set up to determine experimentally the value of Planck’s constant.

Enjoy !

#electricity #physics #quantumphysics

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STRUCTURE OF THE VIDEO
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00:00 Introduction.
00:38 What is a photon?
01:09 The photoelectric effect.
02:20 Definition of a work function.
03:02 Einstein’s photoelectric equation: why KEmax?
04:28 The photoelectric effect: conclusion.
05:09 Kinetic energy distribution of photoelectrons.
06:00 Support Physics Made Easy!

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CREDITS:
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The script, the illustrations, the music and the video were produced and presented by Edouard Reny, Ph.D. in solid state chemistry and private tutor in Physical Sciences.

The image of the circuit board of a smartphone (in the intro):

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DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS?
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[markonar]

I like the Representation of the Work of the Interaction with the other Atoms of the Metal Plate..
I never Thought about it like that!!! Thanks!!! 👍😁

[vidhandoshi]

Hello Sir. I am a student from India and I love your content so please don't stop uploading new videos, they help me out a lot. Also sir can you please explain the topic of force exerted by photons. Thanks a lot sir 🙏 🙂

[jespercairowestergaard]

@5m57s: Yes please Edouard. I would like that subject to become a video. And merci beaucoup for this and the other good ones. Cheers from. Denmark.

[asif]

Really interesting.. would be really nice to go over the derivation of plancks constant from the work function. It takes us back to the beginning of where quantum leap started

[Jugram_ShriftB]

Sir the battery also provides potential different right then will they affect the evacuated glass tube's potential and if the potential of emitter plate consider some potential V, then for collector plate the electrons would accumulate and gets different potential know sir then how the potential difference is maintained ??

[mahirbalayev]

Hi, photon makes electron to leave solid surface and make material positively charged, does it mean while interaction with material that photon has negative charge and once it was absorbed and disappeared the proton become positively charged?