How did classical physics fails to explain the photoelectric effect?

The photoelectric effect has three important characteristics that cannot be explained by classical physics: (1) the absence of a lag time, (2) the independence of the kinetic energy of photoelectrons on the intensity of incident radiation, and (3) the presence of a cut-off frequency.

What is classical physics failure?

Classical mechanics or Newtonian mechanics failed to explain the phenomenon like black body radiation, photoelectric effect, the temperature dependence of heat capacity of the substance.

How does classical theory fail to explain this effect?

Classical wave theory cannot explain the first 3 observations of photoelectric effect. Since energy of the wave is dependent on the square of its amplitude, the classical wave theory predicts that if sufficiently intense light is used, the electrons would absorb enough energy to escape.

Does classical theory explain photoelectric effect?

Classical physics was unable to explain the photoelectric effect. If classical physics applied to this situation, the electron in the metal could eventually collect enough energy to be ejected from the surface even if the incoming light was of low frequency.

Which is an example of the failure of classical physics?

In 1927 the experiment of Davisson and Germer, in which electrons were scattered by a crystal surface with typical diffraction effects, confirmed this daring hypothesis which ultimately demolished the classical picture of physics. To get a taste of quantum theory, we analyse the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering. 1.2.

How does classical wave theory explain the photoelectric effect?

According to classical wave theory, Intensity of a wave is the energy incident per unit area per unit time. Energy carried by an electromagnetic wave is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the wave. Classical wave theory cannot explain the first 3 observations of photoelectric effect.

When was the photoelectric effect discovered by Hertz?

The photoelectric effect The photoelectric effect, the emission of electrons by a metal when light falls on it, was discovered by Hertz in 1887. Experiments showed the following characteristics of this effect. When light falls on a metal surface in a vacuum, the emission of electrons depends upon the frequency of the incident light.

Why did classical physics say that electrons should lose energy?

Classical physics said that because the orbiting electron is constantly changing direction, it should emit electromagnetic radiation — light. As a result, the electron should be continually losing energy.