In 1905, Einstein put forward the theory of the photoelectric effect based on the light quantum hypothesis. Its energy equation matches experimental laws accurately and pioneers the development of quantum physics, whose historical contribution is beyond dispute. Restricted by the physical cognition of his era, Einstein adopted the concept of equivalent relativistic mass and the classical particle collision model to interpret how photons eject electrons microscopically. A large number of modern physical experiments have verified that photons carry no rest mass but possess objective momentum quantified by formulas \ (p=E/c\) and \ (p=h/\), which is confirmed by Compton scattering, vacuum radiation pressure measurement and laser atomic cooling experiments. The so-called relativistic mass of photons is merely a mathematical conversion of energy rather than intrinsic physical mass of particles. While photon momentum dominates physical processes such as vacuum radiation pressure and laser deceleration of atoms, the microscopic interaction between photons and electrons in the photoelectric effect is governed dominantly by energy transfer matching energy levels, with momentum only participating slightly and incapable of ejecting electrons via collision. This paper reserves the experimentally verified energy formula of photoelectric effect, revises the classical collision model, and proposes that photoelectrons escape from atomic bondage after electrons selectively absorb photon energy and transit between energy levels; meanwhile, the charge neutrality compensation inside metal is supplemented to perfect the microscopic physical mechanism of the photoelectric effect.
Jiaqing Yan (Fri,) studied this question.