Photoelectric Effect Lab

Light knocks electrons off a metal plate — see Einstein's equation in action.

The photoelectric effect is direct evidence that light behaves as a stream of particles — called photons — and not merely as a wave.

Each photon carries energy E = hν, where h is Planck's constant and ν is the light's frequency.
An electron escapes the metal only if that energy exceeds its work function (φ), giving max kinetic energy KE_max = hν − φ.

Target metal

Wavelength

Frequency

Light intensity

Battery voltage

Photoelectric Equation

(Einstein's Equation)

hν = φ + KE_max

Conditions to show photoelectric effect

🟣 Photon — packet of light energy🔵 Electron — ejected particle

Photon energy

–

Work function

–

Max KE

–

Stopping V

–

Graphs

Current vs battery voltage

Current vs light intensity

Electron KE vs frequency

Created by Himanshu Mamtani · Chemistry Educator · B.S.–M.S., IIT Kanpur