Einstein Develops His Theory of the Photoelectric Effect
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series
- Categories: Science
- Subcategories: Scientists, Physics, Physicists
- Curriculum: American History 1901-1950, 20th & 21st Century European History, German History
- Geographical Location: Switzerland
- Date: 1905
Article abstract: Einstein postulated that the process by which electrons are liberated from a metal surface by incident light can be understood if the light is considered to be composed of particles called light quanta, which later became known as photons.
Summary of Event
The photoelectric effect is the process by which electrons are ejected from a metal surface when light of the appropriate frequency is shined on that surface. Since it requires energy to remove an electron from a metal, it is clear that this energy is coming from the incident light....
[The entire page is 1928 words long]
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