Understanding the Photoelectric Effect A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines.



Title Understanding the Photoelectric Effect
Description This is a homework activity designed to help students understand how the photoelectric effect experiment works and why a photon model of light is necessary to explain the results. It was developed to be used in a sophomore level modern physics class, after lecture instruction on the photoelectric effect. For more details about the course, please see: http://per.colorado.edu/modern. This activity was used in a course where questions were constrained to being multiple choice or numeric for computer grading, so it is not as inquiry based.
Subject Physics
Level Undergrad - Advanced, Undergrad - Intro
Type Homework
Answers Included No
Language English
Keywords Quantum Mechanics, current, field, phet activity, photon, quantum
Simulation(s) Photoelectric Effect

Author(s) Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins, and Carl Wieman
Contact Email sam.mckagan@gmail.com
School / Organization University of Colorado
Date submitted 7/23/06
Date updated 4/20/10