🔋college physics i – introduction review

key term - Photon energy

Definition

Photon energy is the amount of energy carried by a single photon, proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength. It can be calculated using the equation $E = hf$, where $E$ is the photon energy, $h$ is Planck's constant, and $f$ is the frequency of the photon.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Photon energy increases with increasing frequency and decreases with increasing wavelength.
  2. The equation $E = hf$ relates photon energy to frequency, where $h$ (Planck's constant) is approximately $6.626 \times 10^{-34}$ Js.
  3. In the photoelectric effect, photons must have enough energy to overcome the work function of a material to eject electrons.
  4. Photon energy plays a crucial role in determining whether or not an electron will be emitted from a material when exposed to light.
  5. The photoelectric effect provided essential evidence for quantum theory by demonstrating that light has particle-like properties.

Review Questions

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