photoelectric

adjective

pho·​to·​elec·​tric ˌfō-tō-i-ˈlek-trik 

: involving, relating to, or utilizing any of various electrical effects due to the interaction of radiation (such as light) with matter

photoelectrically

ˌfō-tō-i-ˈlek-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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What Is the photoelectric Effect?

The photoelectric effect *occurs when light (or similar radiation such as X-rays) falls on a material such as a metal plate and causes it to emit electrons. The discovery of the photoelectric effect led to important new theories about matter (and to a Nobel Prize for Albert Einstein). *Photoelectric cells, *or *photocells, are used in burglar-alarm light detectors and garage-door openers (both employ a beam of light that is broken when something moves across it), and also to play soundtracks on movie film (where a light beam shines through the soundtrack encoded on the film and is "read" by the photocells).

Examples of photoelectric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Optical switches use infrared light and photoelectric sensors to detect key presses, unlike mechanical keyboards, which use metal contacts to detect how far a key is pressed. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 21 July 2026

This chain reaction — a photoelectric feedback loop — produces intense radiation bursts of X-rays and gamma rays that can reach deep space. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026

In 2022, Rockwell Automation debuted cost-effective photoelectric sensors for handling materials, packaging, and assembly for smaller objects such as food and beverages. — Louis Biscotti, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

To accomplish this, the researchers created a photocathode – the component that creates photoelectric electrons – out of thin nanosheets of gallium arsenide crystals. — Michael Franco, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1879, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing photoelectric

• photoelectric cell
• photoelectric effect

Rhymes for photoelectric

• nonelectric
• bioelectric
• ferroelectric
• hydroelectric
• isoelectric
• pyroelectric
• thermoelectric
• dielectric
• electric
• piezoelectric

Kids Definition

photoelectric

adjective

pho·​to·​elec·​tric ˌfōt-ō-i-ˈlek-trik 

: involving, relating to, or using any of various electrical effects due to the action of radiation (as light) on matter

Medical Definition

photoelectric

adjective

pho·​to·​elec·​tric ˌfōt-ō-i-ˈlek-trik 

: involving, relating to, or utilizing any of various electrical effects due to the interaction of radiation (as light) with matter

photoelectrically

-tri-k(ə-)lē 

adverb