How does the intensity of light affect the photoelectric effect?

The correct answer highlights a fundamental aspect of the photoelectric effect, which describes how light interacts with matter, particularly metals. When light of sufficient frequency strikes a surface, it can cause the emission of electrons. The intensity of the light relates to the number of photons striking the surface per unit time.

In this context, increasing the intensity of light means that there are more photons hitting the surface, which can result in a greater number of electrons being emitted, provided the frequency of the light is above the threshold frequency. However, the energy of the emitted electrons depends on the frequency of the incident light rather than its intensity. As a result, electrons will be emitted with the same maximum kinetic energy determined by the frequency of the incoming photons, regardless of how intense the light is.

Thus, while the intensity increases the number of electrons emitted, it does not affect their individual energies. This concept is crucial for understanding the photoelectric effect and is supported by experimental evidence showing that only light above a certain frequency can cause electron emission, while increasing the light intensity increases the electron count without impacting their energy.