Derive Einstein's photoelectric equation 1/2 mv^2 = hv - hv0.

Question

Derive Einstein's photoelectric equation \(\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = hv - hv_0\).

Answer 1

Einstein's Explanation of Photoelectric Effect: Einstein's Photoelectric Equation: 

Einstein explained photoelectric effect on the basis of quantum theory.

The main points are: 

1. Light is propagated in the form of bundles of energy. Each bundle of erergy is called a quantum or photon and has energy hv where h = Plank's constant and v = frequency of light. 

2. The photoelectric effect is due to collision of a photon of incident metal light and a bound electron of the metallic cathode. 

3. When a photon of incident light falls on the metallic surface, it is completely absorbed. Before being absorbed it penetrates through a distance of nearly 10^-8 m (or 100 Å). The absorbed photon transfers its whole energy to a single electron. The energy of photon goes in two parts: a part of energy is releasing the electron from the metal surface (i.e., overcoming work function) and the remaining part appears in the form of kinetic energy of the same electron. used in in If v be the frequency of incident light, the energy of photon = hv If W be the work function of metal and E_k the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectron, then according to Einstein's explanation.

\(hv = W + E_k \) or , \(E_k = hv - W\)

This is called Einstein's equation. If v₀ be the threshold frequency, then if frequency of incident light is less then v_q no electron will emitted and if the frequency of incident light be v₀ then E_K = 0 so from equation (i)

\(0 = hv_0 - W\) or \(W = hv_0\)

If \(\lambda_0\) be the threshold wavelength, then \(v_0 = \frac{c}{\lambda_0}\) , where c is the speed fo light in vacuum.

\(\therefore\) Work function \(W = hv_0 = \frac{hc}{\lambda_0}\) ....(ii)

Substituting this value in equation (i), we get

\(E_K = hv - hv_0\)  .....(iii)

This is another form of Einstein's photoelectric equation.