*Question E6F01:
What absorbs the energy from light falling on a photovoltaic cell?*  

*Correct Answer is  C: Electrons*  

### AI Response: (may contain errors)  

Photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar cells, convert light energy into electrical energy. Here's how it works:

1. **Correct Answer: Electrons**  
   - When light, composed of photons, strikes a photovoltaic cell, it transfers energy to electrons in the cell's semiconductor material. This energy excites the electrons, allowing them to break free from their atomic bonds and flow as an electric current. This flow of electrons is what generates electricity.

2. **Why the Other Choices are Incorrect:**
   - **Protons (Choice A):** Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. They do not play a direct role in the photovoltaic effect, which is primarily concerned with the movement of electrons.
   - **Photons (Choice B):** Photons are particles of light that carry energy. While they initiate the process by striking the photovoltaic cell, they are not the ones absorbing energy. Instead, they transfer their energy to electrons.
   - **Holes (Choice D):** Holes are the absence of electrons in a semiconductor and act as positive charge carriers. While they are involved in the movement of charge within the cell, they do not absorb energy from the light. Instead, they facilitate the flow of electrons by providing a path for them to move.

3. **Useful Concept:**
   - The photovoltaic effect can be summarized by the interaction between photons and electrons. When a photon with sufficient energy hits the semiconductor, it can excite an electron from the valence band to the conduction band, creating an electron-hole pair. The movement of these electrons and holes generates an electric current.

Understanding this process is crucial for grasping how solar cells convert light into electricity, which is a key concept in both physics and amateur radio applications involving solar power.