CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

As we learned, very specific frequencies are needed in order to get the surface of a metal to ionize and release electrons. Does this mean that everyday, when the sun is out, everyday objects are experiencing the photoelectric effect and releasing electrons? Furthermore, does the photoelectric effect result in that metal to lose mass?

The photoelectric effect affects only metals, but yes to answer your question, it can affect everyday objects. Technically, it will lose mass, but it is of negligible quantity.

Metals exposed to the sun are affected by the photoelectric effect because the sun is emitting wavelengths of visible light, metals that have a threshold energy that is equal to or less than the energy of the sun's photons will scatter electrons.

As for the weight, metals do lose a negligible amount of weight because electrons are lost, however, free-floating electrons can replace those lost electrons.