Albert Einstein used the equation [tex]\(E = hv\)[/tex] to explain the photoelectric effect.
Here's the step-by-step reasoning:
1. Understanding the Terms:
- [tex]\(E\)[/tex] represents the energy of the ejected electrons.
- [tex]\(h\)[/tex] is Planck's constant.
- [tex]\(v\)[/tex] (often denoted as [tex]\(\nu\)[/tex]) is the frequency of the incident light.
2. The Photoelectric Effect:
- The photoelectric effect refers to the phenomenon where electrons are ejected from a metal surface when light of a certain frequency shines on it.
3. Einstein's Explanation:
- Einstein proposed that light could be thought of as being made up of packets or quanta of energy, which he called photons.
- The energy of each photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the light.
4. The Relationship:
- The proportionality constant is Planck's constant ([tex]\(h\)[/tex]).
- Thus, the energy ([tex]\(E\)[/tex]) of a photon is given by the equation [tex]\(E = hv\)[/tex].
Given these points, the correct equation used by Albert Einstein to explain the photoelectric effect is:
[tex]\[E = hv\][/tex]
So, the answer is [tex]\(E = hv\)[/tex].