photoelectric effect
noun
: the emission of free electrons from a metal surface when light strikes it
Examples of photoelectric effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Light, described as an electromagnetic wave by Maxwell in the 19th century, had been shown to display particle-like properties as well through the photoelectric effect.
—
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
This process often leads to the photoelectric effect, where an electron absorbs energy from the X-ray photon and is ejected from the atom.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
That honor went to his discovery of the photoelectric effect.
—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes,
1 Jan. 2025
Einstein was eventually vindicated, but not on the strength of the photoelectric effect alone.
—
Charlie Wood,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Oct. 2024
It was eventually disproved—thanks to the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887 and Albert Einstein's development of special relativity and his paper on the photoelectric effect in 1905 (his annus mirabilis).
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
4 Feb. 2023
In common CCDs individual photons of visible light liberate individual electrons, a phenomenon known as the internal photoelectric effect.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Oct. 2015
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Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
This process often leads to the photoelectric effect, where an electron absorbs energy from the X-ray photon and is ejected from the atom.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
That honor went to his discovery of the photoelectric effect.
—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes,
1 Jan. 2025
Einstein was eventually vindicated, but not on the strength of the photoelectric effect alone.
—
Charlie Wood,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Oct. 2024
It was eventually disproved—thanks to the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887 and Albert Einstein's development of special relativity and his paper on the photoelectric effect in 1905 (his annus mirabilis).
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
4 Feb. 2023
In common CCDs individual photons of visible light liberate individual electrons, a phenomenon known as the internal photoelectric effect.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Oct. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Photoelectric effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photoelectric%20effect. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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