Re: Ionization Potential -vs- Work Function

Posted by H. Tomasz Grzybowski on August 19, 2002 at 19:29:32:

In Reply to: Re: Ionization Potential -vs- Work Function posted by Björn Roos on May 29, 2002 at 08:04:57:

: : Hi,

: : Can anyone tell me what the difference is between Ionization Potential and the Work Function??

: : Help!
: : Mike.
: Dear Mike,
: An IP is an atomic or molecular property: the energy needed to remove an electron from the system. A work function represents the work needed to remove an electron from a solid material, so it is actually the same, but used in different contexts.
: Best Regards
: Björn Roos
Correction:
The above statement is not quite correct - ionization potential is not the same as work function.Ionization potential multiplied by the electron charge gives you the amount of energy needed to remove an electron from a single molecule. Work function is the amount of energy needed to remove an electron from a volume of solid or liquid. Ionization potential expressed in volts is not equal to work function expressed in eV.
H. Tomasz Grzybowski

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Comments:
: : : Hi, : : : Can anyone tell me what the difference is between Ionization Potential and the Work Function?? : : : Help! : : : Mike. : : Dear Mike, : : An IP is an atomic or molecular property: the energy needed to remove an electron from the system. A work function represents the work needed to remove an electron from a solid material, so it is actually the same, but used in different contexts. : : Best Regards : : Björn Roos : Correction: : The above statement is not quite correct - ionization potential is not the same as work function.Ionization potential multiplied by the electron charge gives you the amount of energy needed to remove an electron from a single molecule. Work function is the amount of energy needed to remove an electron from a volume of solid or liquid. Ionization potential expressed in volts is not equal to work function expressed in eV. : H. Tomasz Grzybowski