Photoelectric Effect Simulation
Electron emission from light above a threshold frequency
Increase frequency above the threshold work function to eject electrons. Intensity mainly changes the number of emitted electrons, while frequency changes their maximum kinetic energy.
What Is Photoelectric Effect?
Photoelectric Effect is the phenomenon of electron emission from light above a threshold frequency. This page visualizes the phenomenon with interactive controls so you can change parameters and observe how the model responds.
What To Observe
- Watch how the visual pattern or system response changes as you adjust the controls for Photoelectric Effect.
- Relate each visual change to the core phenomenon shown here: electron emission from light above a threshold frequency.
- Use repeated runs with one parameter changed at a time to build intuition.
Related Simulations
Uncertainty Principle Position-momentum spread tradeoff in wave packets Quantum Superposition Interference from combining quantum amplitudes Quantum Tunneling Wavefunction penetrating a potential barrier Stern-Gerlach Spin-state beam splitting in a magnetic-field gradient Electron Diffraction Matter-wave interference pattern from electron paths Particle in a Box Discrete standing-wave states in an infinite well Bloch Sphere Qubit state visualization on a Bloch sphere projection Band Gap Valence-conduction bands and energy gap visualization Wave Packet Localized quantum packet propagation and spreading Schrödinger Equation (1D) Wave-packet time evolution in a 1D potential landscape Quantum Harmonic Oscillator Discrete oscillator levels and wavefunctions Aharonov-Bohm Effect Phase-shifted interference from confined magnetic flux de Broglie Wavelength Matter wavelength versus momentum with fringe preview Photon Polarization Polarization state and analyzer transmission Hydrogen-like Atom Toy radial probability and shell scaling with n and Z Quantum Jump Two-level state switching and jump timeline Transmission Coefficient Barrier transmission versus energy and width Probability Current Flow of probability from phase gradients Avoided Crossing Coupling opens a gap where levels would cross Landau-Zener Transition Non-adiabatic transitions through avoided crossings Open Quantum System (Decoherence) Environmental coupling damps quantum coherence Quantum Tomography Reconstruct qubit state from basis measurements Quantum Contextuality Toy context-dependent measurement witness Landau Levels Magnetic-field quantized cyclotron energy levels Fano Resonance Asymmetric resonance from path interference Quantum Heat Engine Toy heat-engine cycle with quantum working system Hydrogen Orbitals Qualitative orbital clouds and nodal structure Compton Scattering Photon wavelength shift after scattering
Try These Experiments
- Start with default settings, then change one slider at a time.
- Record what increases, decreases, or becomes unstable as parameters vary.
- Use screenshots or notes to compare patterns between runs.
Real-World Applications
- Quantum Mechanics lessons and classroom demonstrations
- Self-study and concept reinforcement
- Interactive support for STEM presentations