The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons from a material caused by electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet light. Electrons emitted in this manner are called photoelectrons.
photoelectric effect, phenomenon in which electrically charged particles are released from or within a material when it absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The effect is often defined as the ejection of electrons from a metal plate when light falls on it.
The photoelectric effect refers to the emission of electrons from a material when it is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, usually in the ultraviolet or visible spectrum.
When a metal surface is exposed to a monochromatic electromagnetic wave of sufficiently short wavelength (or equivalently, above a threshold frequency), the incident radiation is absorbed and the exposed surface emits electrons. This phenomenon is known as the photoelectric effect.
The photoelectric effect refers to the phenomenon where light, typically in the form of photons, can cause the emission of electrons from a material’s surface.
The photoelectric effect refers to the discharge of electrons when light falls on the surface of the object. As electrons pass across the surface, charge accumulates, inducing the electric current.
When light shines on a metal, electrons can be ejected from the surface of the metal in a phenomenon known as the photoelectric effect. This process is also often referred to as photoemission, and the electrons that are ejected from the metal are called photoelectrons.
All electrons are identical to one another in mass, charge, spin, and magnetic moment. The photoelectric effect was first observed in 1887 by Heinrich Hertz during experiments with a spark gap generator (the earliest device that could be called a radio).
The photoelectric effect occurs when matter emits electrons upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as photons of light. Here's a closer look at what the photoelectric effect is and how it works.