The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons (called "photoelectrons") from a surface when light is shone on it. It was first observed by Alexandre Edmond Becquerel in 1839, although credit is usually reserved for Heinrich Hertz, who published the first thorough investigation in 1887. Another particularly thorough investigation was published by Philipp Lenard in 1902. Einstein's 1905 paper discussing the effect in terms of light quanta would earn him the Nobel Prize in 1921, when his predictions had been confirmed by the experimental work of Robert Andrews Millikan. The Nobel committee awarded the prize for his work on the photo-electric effect, rather than relativity, both because of a bias against purely theoretical physics not grounded in discovery or experiment, and dissent amongst its members as to the actual proof that relativity was real. COUNT 9
QSN1 Who first observed the photoelectric effect? ANS1 Alexandre Edmond Becquerel QSN2 When was the photoelectric effect first observed? ANS2 1839 QSN3 Who published the first thorough investigation of the photoelectric effect? ANS3 Heinrich Hertz QSN4 Who received the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his work on the photoelectric effect? ANS4 Einstein QSN5 What did Einstein with the 1921 Nobel Prize for? ANS5 his work on the photo-electric effect QSN6 What is the photoelectric effect? ANS6 the emission of electrons (called "photoelectrons") from a surface when light is shone on it QSN7 Who first observed the photoelectric effect? ANS7 Alexandre Edmond Becquerel QSN8 Einstein's paper on the photoelectric effect earned him the Nobel Prize in what year? ANS8 1921 QSN9 Einstein's photoelectric effect work was rewards as opposed to his work on what other topic? ANS9 relativity