Question

A laser emits a beam of light whose photons all have the same frequency. When the beam strikes the surface of a metal, photoelectrons are ejected from the surface. What happens if the laser emits twice the number of photons per second

Answer 1

Answer:

the no. of ejected electrons per second will increase.

Explanation:

In photoelectric effect, when a light is incident on a metal surface it ejects some electrons from the metal surface. The energy of photon of light must be equal to or greater than the work function of that metal. All the extra energy above the work potential appears as the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons. So, greater he energy of photon greater will be the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons.

A single photon interacts with a single electron and ejects it only if its energy is greater than work function. So, the increase in no. of photons per second means an increase in the intensity of laser beam. And greater no. of photons, will interact with greater no. of electrons. So, the no. of ejected electrons per second will increase.