Which one of the following phrases best describes the term work function?
A)the minimum energy required to vaporize a metal surface
B)the work required to place a charged particle on a metal surface
C)the minimum energy required to remove electrons from a metal surface
D)the minimum energy required to remove an atom from a metal surface
E)the work done by electromagnetic radiation when it hits a metal surface

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The work function is defined as the minimum energy required to remove an electron from the surface of a metal. Therefore, choice C is the best description of the term. Option A is incorrect because it relates to vaporization, which may be a consequence of high temperatures, whereas the work function refers to electron removal. Option B may be a bit confusing because it uses the term work, but it does not specifically represent the energy required to remove an electron, which is the definition of the work function. Option D is incorrect because the work function deals with electron removal, not atom removal. Finally, option E is also incorrect because it describes the work done by electromagnetic radiation, which may cause the release of photoelectrons, but it does not reflect the intrinsic physical property of the metal's electron removal ability defined by the work function.

Which One of the Following Phrases Best Describes the Term