In photoelectric effect, the light exhibits:
Correct answer: C. Both particle and wave nature
- A. Wave nature
- B. Particle nature
- C. Both particle and wave nature
- D. All of the above
Explanation
In the photoelectric effect, light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties. This phenomenon was a key piece of evidence supporting the development of quantum theory. Albert Einstein explained the photoelectric effect by proposing that light is quantized into discrete packets of energy called "photons." Each photon carries a specific amount of energy, and when it strikes a material in the photoelectric effect, it can transfer its energy to an electron, ejecting it from the material. The photoelectric effect is also consistent with the wave nature of light. However, the energy of the ejected electrons depends on the frequency (or color) of the incident light, not its intensity. This was not easily explained by classical wave theory but found a natural explanation in the concept of quantized energy carried by photons. The dual nature of light, exhibiting both particle and wave characteristics, is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics.
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About Dawn of Modern Physics
Classical physics cannot explain blackbody radiation and related observations, leading to Planck’s quantum theory, in which energy is emitted or absorbed in discrete packets. Photons provide the particle model of light, with energy and momentum linked to frequency and wavelength, including the photoelectric effect and its threshold frequency.
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