Electron velocity and impact ionization?

[HMS-776]

Hydrogen has an ionization energy of 13.6eV.

If 1eV is defined as the velocity of an electron produced by a potential of one volt.

Does this mean that a free electron contained in a hydrogen gas could cause impact ionization if a potential of 13.6 Volts were applied to a metal plate within the container holding the hydrogen gas?

 

[Bob S]

Hello HMS-
If a plate (let's call it anode) were biased by more than 13.6 volts positive relative to the electron source (call it cathode), and if the gas density were low enough (mean free path high enough) for the electrons from the cathode to gain 13.6 eV between collisions with the neutral hydrogen atoms or molecules, then you could get ionization.
Bob S

 

[charng]

Yes, it is possible for a free electron contained in a hydrogen gas to cause impact ionization if a potential of 13.6 Volts is applied to a metal plate within the container holding the hydrogen gas. This is because the ionization energy of hydrogen (13.6eV) is equal to the potential applied (13.6V), meaning that the electron would have enough energy to overcome the ionization energy and knock off an electron from a hydrogen atom, resulting in ionization. This process is known as impact ionization and is a common occurrence in gas discharge tubes and other high voltage systems. However, the exact conditions and likelihood of impact ionization in a specific system would depend on various factors such as the density of the hydrogen gas, the distance between the electron and the metal plate, and the strength of the applied potential. Further research and experimentation would be needed to fully understand and predict the effects of electron velocity and impact ionization in a given system.