What best describes the photoelectric effect?

The photoelectric effect is best described as photon absorption leading to the release of electrons. In this phenomenon, when a photon encounters a material, particularly a metal, it can be absorbed by an electron. This absorption of energy occurs when the photon has sufficient energy to overcome the binding energy of the electron within the atom. As a result, the electron is ejected from the atom, leading to an increase in the number of free electrons. This effect is significant in various applications, including photodetectors and photovoltaic cells, where the conversion of light to electrical energy is crucial.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the nature of the photoelectric effect. Scattering does not involve the absorption and release of electrons, nor does it represent the energy transfer that occurs in the photoelectric process. The creation of photons, or redirection of photons without energy change, also diverges from the core concept of the photoelectric effect, which fundamentally revolves around photon absorption and the subsequent emission of electrons.