Exam-style question
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Why can't wave theory explain the photoelectric effect?.
- A.It does not account for the particle nature of light.
- B.It predicts a continuous spectrum.
- C.It assumes light travels faster than electrons.
- D.It does not consider the intensity of light.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- It does not account for the particle nature of light.
Explanation
Why this works
Wave theory fails to explain the photoelectric effect because it treats light as a continuous wave, which cannot account for the discrete energy levels required to emit electrons. This highlights the necessity of the particle model in understanding quantum phenomena.
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