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Quantum Physics The Photoelectric Effect Charge up a piece of zinc. (Make it negatively charged) Shine electromagnetic (E-M) radiation on it starting with very long waves - e.g. radio waves. Nothing happens! No matter how intense (bright) you make the waves... nothing! Gradually shorten the wavelength of the E-M radiation and when you get to the U-V region, suddenly the zinc discharges. Even at a low intensity the effect will occur. There is a threshold frequency, fo, at which it starts to discharge. What is going on? Well, the E-M radiation is causing the electrons to leave the metal, making it discharge. We call these electrons photoelectrons. The idea of electromagnetic radiation making electrons leave isn't as crazy as it at first seems. Why? Because E-M waves deliver energy so if they deliver enough energy to a particular electron, surely that electron could use the energy to leave the metal surface and whiz off to freedom. So that's not...

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