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The surface of a metal plate is illuminated with light of a certain frequency. Which of the following conditions determine whether or not photoelectrons are ejected from the metal?
1. the number of photons per second emitted by the light source
2. the length of time that the light is turned on
3. the thermal conductivity of the metal
4. the surface area of the metal illuminated by the light
5. the type of metal from which the plate is made
a) 3 and 5
b) 4
c) 5
d) 2 and 3
e) 1 and 2

Answer 1

The correct answer is option '5': The type of metal from which the plate is made.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the principle of photoelectric effect we know that electron's are only emitted from a surface of metal if the frequency of the light is larger than a threshold frequency that depends on the metal and is known as threshold function of the metal. The ejection of the electrons is independent of intensity of the incident light meaning any light of frequency lower than work function will not eject electrons from the metal no matter whatever the intensity of the light, or the surface area or thermal conductivity, time of illumination.