- #1
nobahar
- 497
- 2
Hello!
Not sure if this is the right place to post this question.
It concerns ionization energies. A certain amount of energy is needed to eject an electron, if the energy provided exactly matches the workfunction, then the electron has zero kinetic energy. If it is some amount greater than the workfunction, then the kinetic energy of the electron is equal to the difference. This has left me a little confused. What happens to the energy that does not go into kinetic energy? If you provide energy equal to the workfunction then the electron has zero kinetic energy. What has happened to the energy provided? I assume it has to do with the electric (?) attraction between the electron and the nucleus. ince the attraction can be viewed form either the perspective of the elctron or the proton, where does the energy go? I may be wrong about the last part (or all of it!).
Any help appreciated,
Many thanks.
Not sure if this is the right place to post this question.
It concerns ionization energies. A certain amount of energy is needed to eject an electron, if the energy provided exactly matches the workfunction, then the electron has zero kinetic energy. If it is some amount greater than the workfunction, then the kinetic energy of the electron is equal to the difference. This has left me a little confused. What happens to the energy that does not go into kinetic energy? If you provide energy equal to the workfunction then the electron has zero kinetic energy. What has happened to the energy provided? I assume it has to do with the electric (?) attraction between the electron and the nucleus. ince the attraction can be viewed form either the perspective of the elctron or the proton, where does the energy go? I may be wrong about the last part (or all of it!).
Any help appreciated,
Many thanks.