Question map
Which one of the following statements on photoelectric effect is NOT correct ?
Explanation
The photoelectric effect is governed by Einstein's photoelectric equation, which states that the maximum kinetic energy of an ejected electron is given by Kmax = hν - Φ, where hν is the incident photon energy and Φ is the work function. Statement 1 is correct as Albert Einstein was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for his explanation of this effect. Statement 2 is correct because electrons are only emitted if the incident frequency exceeds a specific threshold frequency (ν0) characteristic of the metal. Statement 4 is correct as the number of photoelectrons (photocurrent) is directly proportional to the intensity of the incident light. Statement 3 is incorrect because, above the threshold frequency, the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons increases linearly with the frequency of the incident light rather than remaining constant.