photoelectricity

[ foh-toh-i-lek-tris-i-tee, -ee-lek- ]

/ ˌfoʊ toʊ ɪ lɛkˈtrɪs ɪ ti, -ˌi lɛk- /

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noun Physics.

electricity induced by electromagnetic radiation, as in certain processes, as the photoelectric and photovoltaic effects, photoconductivity, and photoionization.

the branch of physics that deals with these phenomena.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of photoelectricity

First recorded in 1875–80; photo- + electricity

Words nearby photoelectricity

photoelasticity, photoelectric, photoelectric cell, photoelectric current, photoelectric effect, photoelectricity, photoelectric magnitude, photoelectric meter, photoelectric threshold, photoelectron, photoelectrotype