Question

Describe the following experiment; what did each class of experiments involve? What problem was encountered (what did classical physics predict versus what was observed)? What was learned or reinterpreted as a result of explaining the experimental results?

The answer should be between 3-4 sentences

experiment:

The photoelectric effect

Answer 1

In classical physics, intensity is considered to be a measure of energy and hence electrons were expected to be released at any intensity. Maxwell assumed that light was a wave and so the increase in energy would increase intensity.

In reality, in the photoelectric effect an electron is emitted from a metal as the result of absorption of a photon of light. Part of the energy of the photon is required to release the electron from the metal; this energy is called the work function or binding energy.