Question

A solar cell converts:
A. Heat energy into electrical energy
B. Solar energy into electrical energy
C. heat energy into light energy
D. solar energy into light energy

Answer 1

Hint: Solar cell is also known as photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic effect is a phenomenon in which the electric current or the voltage is generated when the cell is exposed to the solar light.

Complete step by step answer:
The solar cell is made up of semiconductors like silicon. Each solar cell is composed of two types of semiconductors namely; p-type and n-type. Both the types of semiconductors are joined to create a p-n junction where an electrical field is generated as the electrons and holes move to the positive p-side and the negative n-side respectively. Due to this electric field, the negatively charged particles tend to move in one direction and the positively charged particles in another.
We know that the light is composed of photons i.e. electromagnetic radiation or energy. The energy from the photon gets transferred to an electron of the semiconductor as the light of suitable wavelength gets incident on it. As a result it jumps to a higher energy level called conduction band. Since the electrons are in their excited state now, they are free to move through the semiconductor. Thus, this movement of electrons generates electric current in the cell.
Thus, a solar cell converts solar energy directly into electrical energy. The solar cell converts the solar energy directly into electrical energy with the help of photovoltaic effect.
Thus, the correct option is B
Note:
The solar light when incident on the cell makes the electrons move to the excited state due to which they tend to move through the material and the electric current is therefore generated. The two types of semiconductors used in the solar cell are p-type and n-type.