Question

The number of photoelectrons emitted for a light of a frequency $v$ (higher than the threshold frequency ${v_0}$) is proportional to:
A. Frequency of light $\left( v \right)$
B. $v - {v_0}$
C. Threshold frequency $\left( {{v_0}} \right)$
D. Intensity of light

Answer 1

The phenomenon in which the electrons are emitted from the metal surface when the light is incident on it is called the Photoelectric effect. The emitted electrons are called Photons. The kinetic energy of these photons and the emission of these photons are dependent on the frequency of the incident light.

Complete step by step solution:
The phenomenon in which the metal surface releases the electrons when the light is incident on the surface is called the Photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect is based on the principle of the law of conservation of energy.
The electrons that are ejected by the metal surface are called Photons. The quantum numbers for all the protons are zero. The photons will not get deflected by the magnetic or electric fields and also, they do not have any mass or charge. In an empty space, the photons travel at the speed of light. The radiation behaves as it is made up of small particles called photons when they interact with the matter.
Photons are the virtual particles and the energy of the photons are directly proportional to the frequency and inversely proportional to the wavelength. With the change in the emitted photons, the intensity of the light changes. That is, the number of photoelectrons emitted for the frequency is directly proportional to the intensity of the light.
Therefore, the number of photoelectrons emitted for the light of the frequency is directly proportional to the intensity of the light.
Hence, the option $\left( D \right)$ is the correct option.

Note:
During the emission of the photons, the metal surface corresponding to the greatest frequency is called Threshold frequency. For the photoelectric effect to happen the metal surface must carry a sufficient amount of energy to overcome the attractive forces that bind nuclei to the electrons of the metals. That sufficient energy is called Threshold energy.