Wave theory of light incorrectly predicted that:

• Emission of electrons should occur at any frequency of

EM wave
• Emission should be take longer when waves are of a
lower intensity, than using high intensity waves.

Einstein’s theory of
photoelectricity
Light is composed of wave
packets, or photons

Energy of a photon = hf

To explain photoelectricity, Einstein said that:

 When light is incident on a metal surface, one
electron leaves the surface and absorbs a
single photon.
 An electron can leave the metal surface if the
energy gained from a single photon exceeds the
work function, ɸ.

Hence the maximum kinetic energy of

an emitted electron: Emission can take place
Ekmax = hf - ɸ . OR provided that:

Ekmax + ɸ = hf Ekmax ˃ 0 OR
hf ˃ ɸ
SO, threshold frequency is:
f= ɸh