Question
When light from one source, X, strikes a metal, electrons are ejected. When light from another source, Y, strikes the same metal, electrons are not ejected.
Which best explains why this occurs?
Light from source X has a higher intensity than light from source Y.
Light from source X has a lower intensity than light from source Y.
Photons of light from source X carry more energy than photons of light from source Y.
Photons of light from source X carry less energy than photons of light from source Y.
Which best explains why this occurs?
Light from source X has a higher intensity than light from source Y.
Light from source X has a lower intensity than light from source Y.
Photons of light from source X carry more energy than photons of light from source Y.
Photons of light from source X carry less energy than photons of light from source Y.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best explanation for why electrons are ejected when light from source X strikes the metal and not when light from source Y strikes the same metal is:
**Photons of light from source X carry more energy than photons of light from source Y.**
This relates to the photoelectric effect, where electrons are ejected from a metal surface when they absorb photons with sufficient energy. If the energy of the photons from source X is greater than the work function of the metal, electrons will be ejected. In contrast, if the energy of the photons from source Y is lower than the work function, no electrons will be ejected, regardless of intensity.
**Photons of light from source X carry more energy than photons of light from source Y.**
This relates to the photoelectric effect, where electrons are ejected from a metal surface when they absorb photons with sufficient energy. If the energy of the photons from source X is greater than the work function of the metal, electrons will be ejected. In contrast, if the energy of the photons from source Y is lower than the work function, no electrons will be ejected, regardless of intensity.