Question

The photovoltaic effect is the creation of a ________________________material upon exposure to light and is a physical and chemical phenomenon.
(A) voltage or electric current
(B) voltage
(C) current
(D) none of the above

Answer 1

Hint: We know that photovoltaics is best known as a method for generating electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun into a flow of electrons by the photovoltaic effect. Solar cells produce direct current electricity from sunlight which can be used to power equipment or to recharge a battery. Photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices convert sunlight into electrical energy. A single PV device is known as a cell. An individual PV cell is usually small, typically producing about 1 or 2 watts of power.

Complete step by step answer
We know that the photovoltaic effect can be defined as being the appearance of a potential difference (voltage) between two layers of a semiconductor slice in which the conductivities are opposite, or between a semiconductor and a metal, under the effect of a light stream. Simply put, a solar panel works by allowing photons, or particles of light, to knock electrons free from atoms, generating a flow of electricity. Photovoltaic simply means they convert sunlight into electricity. Many cells linked together make up a solar panel.
While the photoelectric effect involves light photons knocking electrons out of a material completely, the photovoltaic effect involves photons from a light source knocking electrons only out of their atomic orbitals, but keeping them in the material; this allows them to flow freely through the material.
The generation of current or voltage in a material, when exposed to light is called photovoltaic effect. The device which operates on this effect is called photovoltaic device or solar cell.

Hence the correct answer is option A.

Note: We know that electricity produced by solar cells is clean and silent. Because they do not use fuel other than sunshine, PV systems do not release any harmful air or water pollution into the environment, deplete natural resources, or endanger animal or human health. Photovoltaic systems are quiet and visually unobtrusive. There are two main types of solar cells used today: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. While there are other ways to make solar cells (for example, thin-film cells or organic cells), monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells are by far the most common residential and commercial options. Materials used in photovoltaic devices are usually silicon (monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous), gallium arsenide, metal chalcogenides and organometallics. Recently, mesoscopic solar cells have made an impact in commercial markets.