The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons or other free carriers when light hits a

material. Electrons emitted in this manner can be called photoelectrons. This phenomenon is
commonly studied in electronic physics, as well as in fields of chemistry, such as quantum
chemistry or electrochemistry.
In 1900, while studying black-body radiation, the German physicist Max Planck suggested that
the energy carried by electromagnetic waves could only be released in "packets" of energy. In
1905, Albert Einstein published a paper advancing the hypothesis that light energy is carried in
discrete quantized packets to explain experimental data from the photoelectric effect. This was a
key step in the development of quantum mechanics. In 1914, Millikan's experiment supported
Einstein's model of the photoelectric effect. Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 for
"his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect",[1] and Robert Millikan was awarded the Nobel
Prize in 1923 for "his work on the elementary charge of electricity and on the photoelectric
effect".[2]
According to classical electromagnetic theory, the photoelectric effect can be attributed to the
transfer of energy from the light to an electron. From this perspective, an alteration in
the intensity of light would induce changes in the kinetic energy of the electrons emitted from the
metal. Furthermore, according to this theory, a sufficiently dim light would be expected to show a
time lag between the initial shining of its light and the subsequent emission of an electron.
However, the experimental results did not correlate with either of the two predictions made by
classical theory.

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

The photoelectric effect was discovered in 1887 by the German physicist Heinrich
Rudolf Hertz. In connection with work on radio waves, Hertz observed that, when
ultraviolet light shines on two metal electrodes with a voltage applied across them,
the light changes the voltage at which sparking takes place.

Photoelectric Effect Formula

A photon is like a tiny blob of pure energy. In the photoelectric effect, an
electron is hit by a wandering blob of energy and is so excited that it breaks
its bond with the atom to which it is held.
We can know the energy necessary to breaks the bonds of the electrons as
follows:
photon energy = work function + electron kinetic energy
The equation is:
hν = Ee + W
Where:
h: Planck's constant
ν: Frequency of the incident light
Ee: Energy of the electron
W: the work function of the material
Applications of the Photoelectric Effect
 Used to generate electricity in Solar Panels. These panels contain metal combinations that allow
electricity generation from a wide range of wavelengths.
 Motion and Position Sensors: In this case, a photoelectric material is placed in front of a UV or IR
LED. When an object is placed in between the LED and sensor, light is cut off and the electronic
circuit registers a change in potential difference
 Lighting sensors such as the ones used in smartphone enable automatic adjustment of screen
brightness according to the lighting. This is because the amount of current generated via the
photoelectric effect is dependent on the intensity of light hitting the sensor.
 Digital cameras can detect and record light because they have photoelectric sensors that respond to
different colors of light.
 X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS): This technique uses x-rays to irradiate a surface and
measure the kinetic energies of the emitted electrons. Important aspects of the chemistry of a
surface can be obtained such as elemental composition, chemical composition, the empirical
formula of compounds and chemical state.

The photo-cell is the most ranging of applictions of the photoelectric effect. It is

most commonly found in solar panels. it works on the basic principle of light striking
the cathode which causes the emmision of electrons, which in turn produces a
current.
In the related field of astronomy, the photo-electric effect is used in the form of
photo-multiplier tubes and charge coupled devices (CCDs)
The photo-cell is the most ranging of applictions of the photoelectric effect. It is most commonly
found in solar panels. it works on the basic principle of light striking the cathode which causes the
emmision of electrons, which in turn produces a current.

In the related field of astronomy, the photo-electric effect is used in the form of
photo-multiplier tubes and charge coupled devices (CCDs)