How does a photovoltaic cell generate electricity?

A photovoltaic cell generates electricity by converting sunlight directly into electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight strikes the surface of a photovoltaic cell, typically made of semiconductor materials like silicon, it excites the electrons in the material. This excitement frees the electrons, allowing them to flow and create an electrical current.

The construction of the photovoltaic cell allows for the creation of an electric field that directs these freed electrons, causing them to flow towards an external circuit. This flow of electrons is what we harness as electricity. The efficiency of this conversion depends on various factors, such as the type of material used in the cell and the intensity of sunlight.

In contrast, other methods of electricity generation, such as rotating a turbine, involve mechanical movement; chemical reactions are typical of batteries or fuel cells; and magnetic fields are involved in generators but not in the operation of photovoltaic cells. Thus, the correct choice accurately reflects the direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy without any intermediary processes.