Photoelectric Effect

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Photoelectric Effect

</dt>
The emission of an electron from a surface as the surface absorbs a photon of electromagnetic radiation. Electrons so emitted are termed photoelectrons. </dd>
The effectiveness of the process depends upon the surface metal concerned and the wavelength of the radiant energy to which it is expressed. Cesium, for example, will emit electrons when exposed to visible radiation. The energy of the electron produced is equal to the energy of the incident photon minus the amount of work needed to raise the electron to a sufficient energy level to free it from the surface. The resulting energy of the electron, therefore, is proportional to the frequency (i.e., inversely proportional to the wavelength) of the incident radiation. [[/a>|/a> ]]

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use