Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

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What is the name of the process by which sunlight is changed directly into electricity?

Photovoltaic conversion
Photon emission
Photosynthesis
Photon decomposition

The correct answer is: Photovoltaic conversion

The process by which sunlight is converted directly into electricity is known as photovoltaic conversion. This process utilizes solar panels, which are made up of many small cells that contain semiconductor materials like silicon. When sunlight hits these cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric current. This conversion is a direct process that efficiently transforms solar energy into electrical energy for use in various applications, including powering devices and feeding electricity back into the grid. The other terms listed refer to different phenomena. For instance, photon emission involves the release of photons from a material but does not necessarily imply a conversion to electricity. Photosynthesis is the biological process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, primarily in the form of glucose, but it does not produce electricity. Photon decomposition is not a widely recognized term in the context of energy conversion and does not pertain to the process of turning sunlight into electricity. The clarity around photovoltaic conversion makes it the correct choice for this question.