eli5: Why can’t the photoelectric effect be explained by the wave theory of light?
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It takes a certain amount of energy to kick an electron out of the atom, thereby producing electricity. The energy of light is correlated wavelength. Shorter wavelength light has more energy, longer has less. In a wave theory of a lot of low wavelength light would add up to be enough kick electrons out of the atom. But this isn’t what happens. The light must be of a sufficient energy level to before any electrons are releases. For example a huge amount of infra-red light might not be able to produce electricity, but a small amount of ultraviolet would be able to. This proves that the energy is light is in discreet packets, not continuous waves.
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