The phenomenon of the photoelectric effect involves the emission of electrons from a metal surface when it is exposed to light. Here, we'll analyze how the photoelectric current depends on various factors such as frequency and intensity.
Explanation:
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Photoelectric Effect Basics: When light of a certain frequency strikes a metal surface, it can eject electrons from the surface. These emitted electrons constitute the photoelectric current.
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Dependence on Frequency: The frequency of the incident light determines whether or not electrons will be emitted. There is a minimum frequency, called the threshold frequency, below which no electrons are emitted, regardless of the intensity of light. However, once above this threshold, the frequency affects only the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, not the amount of current.
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Dependence on Intensity: The intensity of the incident light (which relates to the number of photons hitting the surface per unit time) directly affects the photoelectric current. Higher intensity means more photons striking the surface, which results in more electrons being emitted, hence increasing the current.
Conclusion:
The photoelectric current is directly proportional to the intensity of the light because more photons result in more electrons being emitted. It does not depend on the frequency (above the threshold frequency) as long as the incident light is sufficient to cause electron emission.
Thus, the correct answer is: does not depend on the frequency of photon but depends only on intensity of incident light.