photo-electric

A scientist uses a photo-electric cell in an experiment.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to the electrical effects of light: "photo-electric" describes phenomena or devices that involve the conversion of light energy into electrical energy, or changes in electrical properties caused by light.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The photo-electric cell is used in automatic door openers. (A device that converts light into an electrical signal to trigger a mechanism.)
  • Photo-electric sensors are common in modern security systems. (Sensors that detect changes in light to identify movement or presence.)

Advanced Usage

• "photo-electric effect": the emission of electrons from a material when it absorbs light photons.
  • Albert Einstein explained the photo-electric effect, for which he won the Nobel Prize. (The phenomenon where light causes the ejection of electrons from a metal surface.)

Variants and Related Words

• Photoelectric (adj): the more common spelling without a hyphen; identical in meaning.

  • The photoelectric smoke alarm uses a light beam and sensor. (A smoke detector that uses light scattering to detect particles.)

• Photoelectricity (n): electricity generated by light energy.

  • The building uses photoelectricity to power some of its lights. (Electricity produced directly from sunlight.)

Synonyms

• Optoelectronic: relating to devices that convert light into electrical signals.

  • Optoelectronic components are essential in fibre-optic communication. (Devices that combine optics and electronics.)

• Light-sensitive: responding to light, often by changing electrical properties.

  • Light-sensitive resistors are used in automatic night lamps. (Components that change resistance when exposed to light.)

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using "photo-electric" as this is a technical term.