photoelectricity

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

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.

Origin of photoelectricity

First recorded in 1875–80; photo- + electricity

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