💡 Photoelectric effect — shine light on a metal and electrons fly across the tube
Monochromatic light strikes the emitter plate C in an evacuated tube. If its frequency is above the threshold, electrons are ejected and the collector A pulls them across as a photocurrent. Raising the intensity sends more electrons; only raising the frequency gives each one more energy.
Light from the lamp (left) strikes the emitter plate C inside the evacuated tube.