History of the Photoelectric Effect

Science & Techanology

The photoelectric effect is commonly used as the introductory topic for the study of quantum physics. However, a literature review reveals that besides various weaknesses and errors in the presentation of the history of the photoelectric effect, textbook presentations also contain incorrect presentations of the work function and the photon concept. In this paper, I present, in story form, five key episodes of the history of the photoelectric effect that are necessary for its accurate and adequate portrayal: (a) the discovery of the photoelectric effect, (b) the characterization of and initial explanation for the photoelectric effect, Einstein’s revolutionary paper on the light quantum and its explanation for the photo- electric effect, and his, eventually, receiving the Nobel Prize despite not having his hypothesis accepted, (d) Millikan’s experimental verification of Einstein’s photoelectric equation despite not accepting Einstein’s hypothesis, and (e) Compton’s measurements and his the oretical explanation which produced the ultimate acceptance of Einstein’s hypothesis. The story, entitled “The Birth of the Photon Concept,” has been tested in a classroom setting and is proposed

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.