Question

What is meant by the work function of a metal?

Answer 1

1. It is the minimum amount of energy required to pull an electron from an atom.
2. The work function of metal can be written as:$\phi =hf-E$ where $\phi$ represents the work function of a metal, $hf$ represents the photon energy,$E$ is the kinetic energy.
3. The least energy necessary to simply release one electron from the metal surface is the work function of a photo metal.
4. During the collision of photons with electrons, the electron totally absorbs the photon's energy.
5. A portion of the energy obtained by the electron is utilised by the electrons to work against the metal's surface forces.
6. The work function of the photo metal is represented by this portion of the energy.