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mediumQ. No. 15192-who-explained-the-photoelectric-effect

Who explained the photoelectric effect?

Last Updated:

ANewton
BHuygens
CMaxwell
DEinstein
Correct Answer: EinsteinYour Answer: D

Explanation

The photoelectric effect and photon theory are among the most important discoveries in modern physics. Newton proposed the corpuscular theory of light in 1704 treating light as tiny particles. He did not explain the photoelectric effect. Newton's theory was largely superseded by wave theory and then quantum theory. Huygens proposed the wave theory of light in 1678. He explained reflection and refraction using wave fronts. He had no knowledge of the photoelectric effect which was discovered much later. Maxwell developed the electromagnetic wave theory of light in 1865 showing light is an EM wave. While this was a great achievement Maxwell's theory is a classical wave theory and could not explain the quantum photoelectric effect. Albert Einstein explained the photoelectric effect in 1905 (his miracle year) by proposing that light consists of discrete energy packets called photons. The photoelectric effect was discovered by Heinrich Hertz in 1887 but Einstein provided the theoretical explanation using Planck's quantum concept.

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Light (Optics) FAQs

Common questions and clear answers for this topic.

What is optics in physics?

Optics is the branch of physics that studies the behavior of light, including its reflection, refraction, and interaction with lenses and mirrors.

What is the difference between reflection and refraction?

Reflection is the bouncing back of light when it strikes a surface, while refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density.

What is a lens?

A lens is a transparent optical device with curved surfaces that refracts light to converge or diverge rays, commonly classified as convex (converging) or concave (diverging).

What is the speed of light?

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second, denoted by the symbol c.

What is total internal reflection?

Total internal reflection occurs when light traveling from a denser medium to a rarer medium strikes the boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing it to be completely reflected back into the denser medium.