Question:medium

Which of the following conclusion is correct regarding photoelectric effect?

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Frequency controls energy, intensity controls number of electrons.
Updated On: Apr 17, 2026
  • Energy of a photon depends upon frequency of light absorbed.
  • Energy of a photon depends upon intensity of light.
  • Kinetic energy of electrons increases due to increase in intensity of light.
  • All the energy of photon is absorbed by metal surface.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light. Individual photons carry discrete amounts of energy that depend solely on their frequency.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
According to Planck's quantum theory, the energy of a single photon is \(E = h\nu\). This energy depends entirely on the frequency (\(\nu\)) of the light. Therefore, option (A) is correct.
Intensity of light corresponds to the number of photons per unit area per unit time. Increasing intensity increases the number of emitted electrons (photoelectric current) but does not affect the energy of individual photons or the kinetic energy of emitted electrons. This invalidates options (B) and (C).
A photon is absorbed by a single electron, giving all its energy to that electron. It is not absorbed generally by the "metal surface."
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct statement is that photon energy depends on frequency.
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