A lvl H2 Phy: Quantum Physics

Suggest a reason why the work function of a metal is different from the energy required to remove the outer electron from an isolated atom of a metal.

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Answer:

There are free electrons in a metal which are not attached to any atom. The work function of the metal is the minimum energy to remove on of these free electrons. This is different from the the energy required to remove the outer electron of an isolated atom.