Why charged plate is discharged by light when it's exposed to it??

Question

ivancsc1996 · Answer

Because of the quantum nature of light. As described by Einstein in his photoelectric effect paper of 1905, light comes in "quanta" (packets). When a packet hits an atom it excites the electrons in it. If the energy of the quantum of light is enough, it can shoot the electron right out of the atom. In this way a charged plate can loose electrons and therefor uncharge.

anonymous · Answer

So if it had a positive charge it wouldn't neutral it.
and where will the free electron go ??

anonymous · Answer

Have you tried the discharging effect of light by yourself? If yes, then with which light and metal (+ve or -ve charged)?

anonymous · Answer

nope I just read about how printers work.

ivancsc1996 · Answer

Yeah, it was positively charged nothing would happen. Except possibly making it more positive. The electron goes of to the air. Google it. Its called the photoelectric effect

anonymous · Answer

Thanks a bunch.
I already studied photoelectric effect and we stopped at calculating it's energy ,but where will this energy go?? we didn't discuss that.

ivancsc1996 · Answer

The energy goes of as heat to the environment i guess