Free interactive chemistry · SIM-QUANT-004
Photoelectric effect
Light shines on a metal. Electrons are knocked out only if each photon has enough energy.
Open the interactive simulation →How to use this simulation
- Choose a metal (each has its own work function φ).
- Move the wavelength slider and watch whether electrons leave.
- Move the intensity slider and compare.
- Read the photon energy, KE_max and stopping potential in the “Einstein” panel.
What to notice
- Brighter light gives more electrons, but not faster ones.
- Below the threshold frequency nothing happens, however bright the light.
Try this
Find the longest wavelength that still releases electrons from sodium.
Try it for free →