12
QuizMultiple Choice

Dual Nature of Light

Question 12 • (OC27) Earth/Space Sci-2001310-S2-Nelson

Which theory was contradicted by experiments with the photoelectric effect?

Answer
A
Light spreads out after it passes through a small opening.
B
As soon as light strikes metal, electrons will be ejected.
C
Visible light, regardless of color, will cause the ejection of electrons when striking metal.
D
The kinetic energy of ejected electrons depends on the frequency of light that strikes the metal.

Explanation

Photoelectric-effect experiments showed that a metal ejects electrons only when the light’s frequency is above a threshold. Increasing the light’s intensity does not make lower-frequency light eject electrons. This contradicted the idea in choice C that visible light of any color would cause electron ejection.

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