Question

Why is wave theory of electromagnetic radiation not able to explain photoelectric effect ? How does photon picture resolve the problem ?

Answer 1

Answer:

Wave theory cannot explain the following laws of photoelectric effect :

1. Existence of threshold frequency for metal surface.
2. Kinetic energy of emitted electrons is independent of intensity of light but depends on frequency.
3. The concept of photon explain that energy is not only admitted and absorbed in discrete energy quanta, but also it propagates through space in definite quantity with a speed of light it can explain all the above Photoelectric effect which Wave theory cannot explain.