Can you ionize metal with photons?

[IAmAnthony]

The photoelectric effect occurs when light causes electrons to fly off atoms. An equal number of electrons to protons gives an atom a net charge of 0. If I left a piece of metal in the sun for a long time, that would mean a large number of electrons would fly off. This should, in theory, give the part of the metal exposed to sunlight a positive net charge

NOTE: Although I say in theory, the purpose of this post is not to debate a theory. Rather, I am trying to understand a question that I cannot resolve.

 

[ZapperZ]

The photoelectric effect occurs when light causes electrons to fly off atoms. An equal number of electrons to protons gives an atom a net charge of 0. If I left a piece of metal in the sun for a long time, that would mean a large number of electrons would fly off. This should, in theory, give the part of the metal exposed to sunlight a positive net charge

NOTE: Although I say in theory, the purpose of this post is not to debate a theory. Rather, I am trying to understand a question that I cannot resolve.

When I did photoemission spectroscopy experiments many years ago, we have to make very sure that the photocathode is properly grounded. If not, we will run into what is known as the charging effect, i.e. the material that we want to study (i.e. the photocathode) becomes charged because it cannot replenish the electrons lost via photoemission.

So yes, something that is isolated (metal, semiconductor) and undergoes photoemission WILL become charged.

A metal left in the sun, if it is just the visible spectrum, will not typically be charged because visible light does not have enough energy to overcome the typical work function of a metal. Besides, a charge metal left out in the open can usually grab charges from other things in the air or from cosmic radiation.

Zz.