Can a silver atom be physisorbed to its surface?

[rrg92]

Hi all,If there is activation energy for chemisorption, then an atom with insufficient energy to overcome that barrier will remain physisorbed to the surface via van der Waals forces. I would like to further understand this activation energy in terms of, for example, the overlap of electron wavefunctions that repels a metal atom from the surface, until eventually these electrons are forced to higher energy levels and become delocalized (… if that’s how it works to begin with). Would that mean a fraction of the surface atoms are chemisorbed, and the remaining fraction is physisorbed? What is the strength of this activation energy?

 

[Bystander]

If there is activation energy for chemisorption

What is the strength of this activation energy?

You say, "silver." On a silver surface? It's going to depend upon the history of the surface plus ... ?

 

[rrg92]

You say, "silver." On a silver surface? It's going to depend upon the history of the surface plus ... ?

It doesn't have to be silver, it was just an example. My question is for the interaction of an atom with its condensed solid phase, specifically for metals.