What is the relationship between intensity and the number of emitted photoelectrons?

Higher intensity leads to more emitted photoelectrons due to the nature of the photoelectric effect. When light of sufficient frequency (or energy) strikes a material, it can dislodge electrons from the surface of that material. The intensity of the light refers to the amount of energy it carries per unit area over a given time, which is related to the number of photons present.

When the intensity increases, it means a greater number of photons are striking the surface of the material. Each photon has the potential to interact with and dislodge an electron. Therefore, with higher intensity, there are more opportunities for these interactions, leading to the emission of a larger number of photoelectrons.

This relationship emphasizes that while the frequency of light determines whether electrons can be emitted (since it must meet the material's threshold frequency), the intensity dictates how many electrons are emitted, thereby reinforcing the direct correlation between higher intensity and a greater number of emitted photoelectrons.