ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Photoemission

Okay kiddo, do you know what photos are? They're images we see and take using cameras. Well, let's talk about the process of taking a photo.

Light is what makes up a photo. When light shines on an object, it bounces off and lands on our eyes. Cameras work in a similar way, but instead of landing on our eyes, the light lands on the camera's image sensor.

Now, let's talk about photoemission. This is when light shines on certain materials, like metal or semiconductors, and it causes electrons to be released or emitted from the surface. Think of it like when you bounce a ball on the ground and it bounces back up.

When these electrons are emitted, they create an electrical current. This is how solar panels work. Sunlight hits the solar panel, causing electrons to be emitted, and then that creates electricity.

Scientists use photoemission to study materials and learn more about how they work. It's a really cool process that helps us understand the world around us!