Final answer:
Photoelectric absorption greatly contributes to the photoelectric effect, where electrons are ejected from a surface when light with sufficient energy is applied. This principle is essential in the functioning of photovoltaic cells, which convert light into electricity. However, energy losses can occur if photons are absorbed before contributing to current generation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photoelectric absorption contributes greatly to the photoelectric effect, a phenomenon whereby certain materials eject electrons when exposed to light of high enough energy. It is explained that all characteristics of the photoelectric effect are due to the interaction of individual photons with individual electrons. When light shone onto a metal surface has photons with sufficiently high energy, it causes the ejection of electrons from that metal. The understanding of the photoelectric effect is crucial in technologies such as photovoltaic cells which are used in the generation of electrical energy. Electrons are ejected by light and collected, which then contributes to an electrical current. Only light with a frequency above the threshold frequency will cause electron ejection, regardless of the intensity. In photovoltaic cells, significant losses can occur when photons are absorbed in the top layer and do not contribute to electricity generation. This is greatly affected by the wavelength of the incoming photons, as shorter wavelengths tend not to penetrate deeply enough to be useful in energy generation.