The Uses And Effects Of Photoelectric Effect

To understand the significance of the photoelectric effect, you need to understand the concept first. It refers to the phenomenon where the light rays hit the metal surface to release electrons from the metal. These ejected electrons are known as photoelectrons. 

The emission of these photoelectrons and the ejected photoelectron’s energy are highly dependent on the light frequency that hits the metal’s surface. The process through which light ray’s action causes the ejection of these photoelectrons is known as photoemission. 

The photoelectric effect occurs only when the electrons present at the metal surface can absorb the energy from the light ray incident on its surface. This energy can overcome the attractive forces that bind the particles within the metallic nuclei. 

Photoelectric Effect Explanation With Concept Of Photons

It is impossible to explain photo electricity’s effect while considering light as a wave. However, one can explain this process by considering the light rays as stream particles containing electromagnetic energy. These so-called particles are none other than the photons. The energy contained within these photons is directly related to the light frequency using the Planck’s equation:

E = h𝜈 = hc/λ

Here, E denotes the photon’s energy

h refers to the Planck’s constant

𝜈 denotes the incident light’s frequency

c is the speed of incident light in a vacuum

λ is the wavelength of the incident light

So, using this formula, you can understand the importance of the photoelectric effect and how the photos carry different frequencies of varying energies. 

Let’s talk about an example here. The wavelength of the blue light seems to be shorter than that of the red light. So, in this case, the energy helped by the blue light’s photons will be more than the energy that is helped by the red light’s photons. 

Applications Of Photoelectric Effect

So, why is the photoelectric effect famous? What are the applications of the photoelectric effect in everyday life? Let’s find out here:

Initially, going through the description of the effect will only sound slightly theoretical to the readers. But there are good practical applications for it. According to Britannica, photoelectric cells are known for detecting light using the vacuum tube containing a cathode for emitting electrons. On the other hand, the anode gathers the resultant current. These “phototubes” are now the advanced version of the semiconductor-based photo bodies widely popular for being used as fibre optics telecommunications and solar cells.

Photomultiplier tubes are modified versions of the phototube but are available with several dynodes and metal plates. How are these relevant? Electrons are released only when the light rays hit upon the metal surface. Therefore, the presence of multiple metal plates can help reduce the emission of more energy. 

Some examples include usage in spectroscopy, which breaks the light rays into different wavelengths to know more about the star’s chemical composition. It is also used for computerized axial tomography or CAT to examine body structures. Other prominent applications of photoelectric effects include:

• Imaging technology that includes television camera tubes and image intensifiers
• For studying the nuclear phenomenon
• Chemically analysing the materials depending on their emitted electrons
• Deriving theoretical information about different energy states of electrons in atoms during the transition
• Solar cells and production of solar electricity

Conclusion

The photoelectric effect occurs only when the electrons present at the metal surface can absorb the energy from the light ray incident on its surface. In the process of photoelectric effect, the emitted photoelectron’s and the ejected photoelectron’s energy are highly dependent on the light frequency that hits the metal’s surface. The process through which light ray’s action causes the ejection of these photoelectrons is known as photoemission.