5 Questions
What is the primary outcome of the photoelectric effect?
Ejection of a bound atomic electron (photoelectron)
What happens to the energy of the absorbed photon in the photoelectric effect?
It is partially transferred to the ejected electron
What determines the probability of photoelectric absorption?
Atomic number of the atom and the energy of the photon
What occurs when a vacancy is left in the atomic structure by the ejected electron?
Ejection of an electron from an external shell (Auger electron)
Which electrons are most affected by the probability of photoelectric absorption?
K electrons
Study Notes
Photoelectric Effect
- The primary outcome of the photoelectric effect is the ejection of electrons from a metal surface when it is exposed to electromagnetic radiation.
Energy Absorption
- The energy of the absorbed photon is transferred to the electron, allowing it to overcome the binding energy and escape from the metal surface.
Probability of Absorption
- The probability of photoelectric absorption is determined by the intensity of the incident radiation and the frequency of the incident radiation, not by its intensity.
Vacancy Formation
- When a vacancy is left in the atomic structure by the ejected electron, it can be filled by other electrons, resulting in a cascade of electrons moving to higher energy levels.
Electron Affected
- The electrons most affected by the probability of photoelectric absorption are the valence electrons, which are the outermost electrons of an atom.
Test your knowledge about the interactions of photons with matter through this quiz covering the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and pair production.
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