# Confused about the Photoelectric Effect?

If an incident photon with frequency f hits a metal with a work force of w: How do I find the color of the incident photon and the threshold frequency of the metal?

What equations are necessary to find the color and threshold frequency?

Is there an easy explanation for this?

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A quick google search, and wikipedia read would probably be quite fruitful. –  DilithiumMatrix Apr 28 '13 at 0:57
@zhermes - I've been searching for an hour and I have no idea how to find the frequency of metal, only the frequency of a photon. –  Genevieve Ccio Apr 28 '13 at 1:05
The very first article in a google search is wikipedia's photoelectric effect. The article defines a metal's threshold frequency within roughly the first page. –  DilithiumMatrix Apr 28 '13 at 1:16

Photoeffect's main equation is one of energy balance. The only energy source in this event is the photon whose energy is $hf$. If that is enough to eject an electron ($\ge w$), the emission occurs. The leftover energy becomes kinetic energy of the electron. $$hf=w+K$$
The threshold is the case where you get just enough energy to emit the electron but no leftover. The needed equation is $$hf=w$$