Threshold Energy Question

[305154707]

This problem gives the work function for sodium as 150.6 kJmol-1. Then, in the following part of the question, it asks for the energy required to remove an electron from one sodium atom. Given that the work function is the same as the " energy required to remove an electron", why can't I just convert 150.6kJmol-1 to 1.506 x 10^5J? What else do I do? Thanks.

[Lorena Zhang 4E]

This problem is asking for the energy required to remove an electron from ONE sodium atom. The work function given is the threshold energy needed to remove the electron from one mole of sodium atom. Therefore, in order to get the energy required to remove an electron from one sodium atom, you need to divide the work function by 6.022*10^23.

[Andonios Karas 4H]

You are correct the work function is the energy need to remove one electron. However the number provided to you is in kiloJoules per Mole. The problem is asking for the J per Atom. You need to divide by Avogadro's number (6.022 x 10^23) and multiply by 1000 Joules in order to get the joules per one atom of sodium.