Photoelectric effect and bound electrons

[usman1984]

Hi. My question is why in photoelectric effect in coming photon interacts with bound electrons only?
Thanks

 

[Charles Link]

The way I understand it, the electron will always have some work function/energy required to free it because, e.g. in the case of conductors, a positive charge gets induced around the electron trying to pull it back when it tries to escape the surface. Meanwhile, for the case of insulators, the electrons are not free.

 

[usman1984]

Thanks Charles

 

[nasu]

What do you mean by "bound electrons"?
The photoelectric effect in a metal ejects electrons from the conduction band. These electrons are not "bound" to any atom.
Maybe you could explain in more detail what do you mean with your question.