How It Works
Einstein won his Nobel prize for explaining this: light comes in packets (photons). If a photon's energy exceeds the metal's work function, electrons fly out with kinetic energy = photon energy - work function.
Light shining on metal — electrons emit if wavelength is short enough
Einstein won his Nobel prize for explaining this: light comes in packets (photons). If a photon's energy exceeds the metal's work function, electrons fly out with kinetic energy = photon energy - work function.