AP Physics Essentials Quiz: Photons and the Photoelectric Effect

Who explained the photoelectric effect and unlocked the idea of light being a particle?

• Albert Einstein

• Isaac Newton

• Niels Bohr

• Marie Curie

What is the formula for the energy of a photon?

• Energy = force x distance

• Energy = frequency x wavelength

• Energy = Planck's constant / frequency

• Energy = mass x speed of light

What is the relationship between frequency and energy in the photoelectric effect?

• Inverse relationship

• No relationship

• Exponential relationship

• Direct relationship

What type of waves have high energy and high frequency?

• Infrared waves

• Radio waves

• Microwaves

• Gamma rays

What evidence suggested that light exists in discrete units?

• Spectral lines

• Continuous wave interference

• Absorption spectrum

• Transverse wave model

What happens when an electron moves to a higher energy level in an atom?

• It becomes a proton

• It absorbs a photon

• It emits a photon

• It changes its charge

What is the name of the simulation used to model the photoelectric effect?

• Newton's simulation

• Euler's simulation

• Tesla's simulation

• PhET simulation

What happens when infrared light is used in the photoelectric effect?

• Electrons are kicked off

• Nothing happens

• Current is generated

• Light is absorbed

What metal was used in the PHET simulation to demonstrate the photoelectric effect?

• Aluminum

• Iron

• Zinc

• Copper

What did the graph of frequency vs. energy show in the photoelectric effect?

• Exponential relationship

• No relationship

• Inverse relationship

• Linear relationship