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(b)

(iii)
Explain in terms of photons what effect, if any, increasing the
intensity of this radiation would have on the number of electrons
ejected per second, and on their maximum kinetic energy.
[3]
In 1902, Einstein's equation: Ex max = hf- was revolutionary because it gave
strong evidence for light behaving as particles. Explain why this theory was
controversial in 1902, but is now accepted as standard pre-university physics.
[4]

User Margareta
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Answer:

(iii) Increasing the intensity of radiation would increase the number of photons hitting the surface per second. As a result, the number of electrons ejected per second would also increase, as the photoelectric effect is a stochastic process. However, the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons would not change, as it depends solely on the frequency of the incident photons.

In terms of photons, increasing the intensity of radiation would mean an increase in the number of photons per unit area per second. This would increase the probability of a photon interacting with an electron and causing ejection.

(iv) Einstein's theory that light behaved as particles, or photons, was controversial in 1902 because it contradicted the established wave theory of light. Many physicists at the time believed that light waves were similar to sound waves, and that they propagated through a medium called the "luminiferous ether." Einstein's theory challenged this idea by suggesting that light was made up of discrete particles, or photons, with specific energies.

However, Einstein's theory was later supported by experiments such as the photoelectric effect, which demonstrated that light could indeed behave like particles. Furthermore, the theory of quantum mechanics developed in the early 20th century provided a more complete understanding of the dual nature of light, which can behave as both particles and waves. Today, the particle nature of light is widely accepted and is a standard concept in pre-university physics.

User Thomie
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