Percent change in thermionic emission

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the percent change in thermionic emission for oxide-coated and tungsten filaments, focusing on the effects of temperature and work function variations. The context includes theoretical applications and mathematical reasoning related to thermionic emission formulas.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a calculation for the percent change in thermionic emission using a formula but expresses uncertainty about its correctness.
  • Another participant suggests using the Richardson formula for thermionic emission, providing the equation and defining its variables.
  • A participant mentions encountering the Richardson-Dushmann law and questions its similarity to the formula being discussed, indicating confusion about its application to both questions posed.
  • Further clarification is provided that the same formula can be applied to both questions, with a distinction made about which variable remains constant in each case.
  • A note is included about the lack of consensus among theoreticians regarding the precise form of a constant in the thermionic emission expression.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty and confusion regarding the application of formulas to the questions posed, indicating that multiple interpretations and approaches exist without a clear consensus on the correct method for calculation.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity on the assumptions made in the calculations, particularly regarding the treatment of constants and the differentiation process. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the implications of changes in work function versus temperature.

benben312000
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% change in thermionic emission

Q1. Determine the % change in thermionic emission for an oxide-coated filament of work function of 1.3eV if the temperature is decreased by 1.00% at a temperature of 2300K

I'm uncertain but i used

dJ/J=dT/T ( 2 + ((1160x1.3)/1000)

to get a 15% change in current density. I'm not really good at this so i not sure if i used the formula correctly

Q2. Calculate the % change in therimonic amission from tungsten filament of work function 4.52eV if the work funtion is decreased by 1.00% at a temperature of 2300K

I was really puzzled by this question as the difference is in this question the work function is said to decrease but i do not know how to calculate the % change.

Thanks in advance for all the help given.
 
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Use the old (1901, Richardson) formula for thermionic emission:
J = K(T^2)exp(-W/kT),

J = thermionic current density
K = constant peculiar to emitting oxide,
W = work function of oxide
T = temperature, Kelvin.
 


Thanks lots Rude man o:)

Hmm that's interesting i came across a Richardson-Dushmann law as well but it's not so similar, but that's how i get the "dJ/J=dT/T ( 2 + ((1160x1.3)/1000)". But it's differentiate with respect to the absolute temperature.

Btw do u mean i could use the same formula for both the question cause i don't understand the 2nd question.

Thanks once again
 


benben312000 said:
Thanks lots Rude man o:)

Hmm that's interesting i came across a Richardson-Dushmann law as well but it's not so similar, but that's how i get the "dJ/J=dT/T ( 2 + ((1160x1.3)/1000)". But it's differentiate with respect to the absolute temperature.

Btw do u mean i could use the same formula for both the question cause i don't understand the 2nd question.

Thanks once again

Yes, the formula isused for both of your questions. Just need a bit of calculus:

dJ/J = (1/J)∂J/∂T*dT + (1/J)∂J/∂W*dW

For your 1st problem, W is constant.
For your 2nd problem, T is constant.
Away you go!

PS - from Wikipedia: "Over 60 years later, there is still no consensus amongst interested theoreticians as to what the precise form of the expression for K should be ... "

PPS - for you that makes no difference since K will cancel out when you divide by J.
 
Last edited:

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