Work Function

[Nikita Patra 3J]

What is the difference between the work function and the threshold frequency?

[Indy Bui 1l]

Threshold frequency refers to the minimum possible frequency of light needed to eject an electron from a metal's surface. Work function refers to the minimum energy level needed to eject an electron from a metal's surface. Thats the main difference; threshold frequency refers to the minimum frequency of light and work function refers to the energy required to emit electrons.

Work function is noted using the greek letter phi Φ

[Reagan Smith 1H]

If you are talking about work function and threshold energy rather than threshold frequency, they are virtually the same thing, nearly interchangeable. Threshold energy is the minimum amount of energy needed to eject an electron from a metal surface, and that is denoted by the work function.

[Amy Xiao 1I]

Dr. Lavelle uses those terms practically interchangeably when discussing the photoelectric effect.

[DesireBrown1J]

What are some practice problems from the book that require us to use the work function equation hv-Φ=1/2mv²?

[quresh3E]

If the total energy of the photon was equal to the work function, and the kinetic energy was zero, then is the electron ejected? How can the electron be ejected if there is no kinetic energy?

[jmtz1I]

I've noticed that Lavelle uses those two terms interchangeably as well. But in my plf session, they described work function as the energy needed to remove an electron from a solid surface.

[Adelpha Chan 1B]

What is the difference between the work function and the threshold frequency?

The two terms are used interchangeably by Professor Lavelle during the lecture. They both refer to the amount of energy required, or threshold, to remove electrons from the surface of a solid metal.

[505106414]

Is work function, Φ used in any other equations besides the KE/Energy of a photon one?

[alicechien_4F]

We have only used the work function in the context of the photoelectric effect, so if you see it you can assume you will be using the Energy/KE equation. Hope this helps!