Student ideas of the process of energy transfer from light to electron.
| Idea about the process of energy transfer | Number of students | |
|---|---|---|
| For the classical model | Electrons were driven by electromagnetic radiation. | 4 (21%) |
| Electrons vibrate as does the medium. | 4 (21%) | |
| Light wave collides with electrons. | 1 (5%) | |
| No idea about the interaction between electrons and light except recognition that light is electromagnetic radiation. | 1 (5%) | |
| No clear idea about the energy transfer from light to electron. | 8 (42%) | |
| Energy is not transferred from light to an electron in the classical model. | 1 (5%) | |
| For the quantum model | Photon loses all its energy and is annihilated. | 7 (37%) |
| Photon loses its energy partially and rebounds off electron. | 9 (47%) | |
| Photon can be annihilated or rebounds off electron. | 1 (5%) | |
| No detailed idea about the energy transfer from light to electron. | 2 (11%) |