Final answer:
The photoelectric effect is a phenomenon in which electrons are emitted from a metal surface when exposed to light. It depends on the frequency of the incident light and not its intensity. There is a threshold frequency below which no electrons are emitted.
Step-by-step explanation:
The photoelectric effect is a phenomenon in which electrons are emitted from a metal surface when it is exposed to light. The electrons are dislodged from the metal due to the transfer of energy from the photons to the electrons. The emitted electrons can then be collected and measured as a photocurrent. One misconception about the photoelectric effect is that the intensity of light affects the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons. However, the photoelectric effect is only dependent on the frequency of the incident light. Another misconception is the expectation of immediate emission of electrons when light is shone on the metal surface. In reality, there is a threshold frequency below which no electrons are emitted, regardless of the intensity of the light.