Photoelectric Work Function
The work function is the minimum energy that must be given to an electron to liberate it from the surface of a particular substance. In the photoelectric effect, electron excitation is achieved by absorption of a photon. If the photon's energy is greater than the substance's work function, photoelectric emission occurs and the electron is liberated from the surface. Excess photon energy results in a liberated electron with non-zero kinetic energy. The photoelectric work function is:
where is the Planck constant and is the minimum (threshold) frequency of the photon required to produce photoelectric emission.
Read more about this topic: Work Function
Famous quotes containing the words work and/or function:
“Unusual precocity in children, is usually the result of an unhealthy state of the brain; and, in such cases, medical men would now direct, that the wonderful child should be deprived of all books and study, and turned to play or work in the fresh air.”
—Catherine E. Beecher (1800–1878)
“To make us feel small in the right way is a function of art; men can only make us feel small in the wrong way.”
—E.M. (Edward Morgan)