Work function

The work function is the minimum energy (usually measured in electron volts) needed to remove an electron from the Fermi level in a metal to a point at infinite distance away outside the surface. The work function is generally about half the ionization energy of a free atom of the metal. For example, Caesium has ionization energy 3.9 eV and work function 1.9 eV.

Photoelectric work function

In photoelectric emission, the electron gains the kinetic energy needed to escape from photons, such an electron is called a photoelectron and the emission is called the photoelectric effect.

Related Topics:
Photoelectric emission - Photoelectric effect

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Photoelectric work function:

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φ=hf0,

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where h is Planck's constant and f0 is the critical frequency required for photoelectric emission.

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