Question

Which aspects of the photoelectric effect cannot be explained without photons? Which can be explained without photons? Are the latter inconsistent with the existence of photons?

a) Photons explain all aspects; without photons, inconsistency arises.

b) Photoelectric effect is independent of photons.

c) Photons explain some aspects; without photons, no inconsistency.

d) Without photons, all aspects are inconsistent.

Answer 1

The photoelectric effect can be explained using photons, as certain aspects of the phenomenon cannot be explained without considering their presence. However, there are also aspects that can be explained without photons. Both aspects are consistent with the existence of photons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The photoelectric effect is a phenomenon in which electrons are emitted from a material when it is exposed to light. There are certain aspects of the photoelectric effect that cannot be explained without photons. These include the absence of a lag time, the independence of the kinetic energy of photoelectrons on the intensity of incident radiation, and the presence of a cut-off frequency. These characteristics can only be explained if we consider that light is made up of photons. On the other hand, there are aspects of the photoelectric effect that can be explained without photons, such as the threshold frequency, which is the minimum frequency of light required to cause the emission of electrons. These aspects are not inconsistent with the existence of photons, as photons still play a crucial role in other aspects.