How does the intensity of light affect the number of electrons emitted in the photoelectric effect?

In the photoelectric effect, the intensity of light affects the number of electrons emitted but not their energy:

1. More photons, more electrons: Higher intensity light means more photons striking the material per second. Since each photon can release one electron, increasing intensity increases the number of emitted electrons.
2. No effect on kinetic energy: The speed or kinetic energy of the electrons depends on the frequency of the light, not its intensity. So brighter light produces more electrons, but they don’t move faster.
3. Frequency still matters: If the light’s frequency is below the threshold, even very intense light cannot emit any electrons.

Key idea: Light intensity controls the quantity of electrons emitted, while light frequency determines whether electrons are emitted and how energetic they are.