## Work Function

$E_{n}=\frac{h^{2}n^{2}}{8mL^{2}}$

Victoria Luu - 1C
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

### Work Function

What is exactly the work function, and how does it play into finding the energy of an atom?

Andrea Zheng 1H
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am

### Re: Work Function

The work function is the energy required to remove an electron from a metal. In class, it was also referred to as the threshold. In order for an electron to be removed from the metal, the E=h*freq has to be greater than or equal to the work function (threshold energy). (see textbook pages 12-13 for 6th edition)

Stevin1H
Posts: 89
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: Work Function

E(photon) - work function >= Kinetic Energy of electron.

The work function (also known as the threshold energy) is the amount of energy that is required in order to eject an electron from the metal surface. Any excess energy from the photon after ejecting an electron becomes kinetic energy, as shown in the equation above. If there was 0 kinetic energy, then the E(photon) is equal to the work function. And if there was a value of kinetic energy, derive the equation to add the KE + Work function to find the value of E(photon).

Letizia Ye 4F
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Re: Work Function

Each metal has a different work function, or the minimum energy that the incidental photons required to eject electrons from the surface. The excess energy is then converted to kinetic energy for the electron in EK = hf - work function