Hey guys,
Can I get a response to the operation of solar cells and how they work for example if it was a 4 marker. i always seem to lose marks with solar cells as I do not really understand it/ cant describe it.
Thanks
Hey! Let's see what we can do!
Firstly, we have 2 semiconductors, a
N-type and a
P-type and what we do is we "stick" them together, and this does something very peculiar.
As an N-type semiconductor has extra free electrons, these electrons will want to fall into the holes into the
p-type semiconductor. This will cause something we call a
Depletion zoneThis depletion zone will act as an electric field, This is because electrons have a negative charge and as the electrons moved towards the p-type semiconductor, the P-type side of the depletion zone is now slightly negative, and the N-type side of the depletion zone is slightly positive. Electrons will continue to jump the gap from the N-type to the P-type, making the electric field stronger and stronger until the electrons can no longer jump the gap (As the electric field applies a force to the electrons!)
Now, we attach a circuit to this combined semiconductor and add the power of the sun!! The sun here is just an application of the photoelectric effect, where all it does is pass energy to the electrons, making the electrons able to move but due to the depletion zone, they cannot pass into the P-type, meaning the only way they can move is through the external circuit (which it does!!) Due to this flow of electrons through the circuit, a current is produced!
annnnnnnd voilà! A solar cell!
Just a HUGE reminder! Don't get this mixed up with the photocell!
I hope this helps! If you have any questions about this! Feel free to ask!