Photoelectron energy from photon energy

The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons from a material caused by electromagnetic radiation. Electrons emitted in this manner are called photoelectrons.

In the photoemission process, when an electron within some material absorbs the energy of a photon and acquires more energy than its binding energy, it is likely to be ejected. If the photon energy is too low, the electron is unable to escape the material.

The theory predicts that the highest kinetic energy of emitted electrons is equal to the difference between the absorbed photon energy and the work function of the surface, which is the minimum energy required to remove an electron from the surface of the material.

Links:

1. Wikipedia.

maximum_kinetic_energy

Maximum kinetic_energy of emitted electron.

Symbol:

K_max

Latex:

\(K_\text{max}\)

Dimension:

energy

photon_energy

energy of absorbed photon.

Symbol:

E

Latex:

\(E\)

Dimension:

energy

work_function

work_function of the surface.

Symbol:

W

Latex:

\(W\)

Dimension:

energy

law

K_max = E - W

Latex:

\[K_\text{max} = E - W\]