- #1
Cheman
- 235
- 1
Thermionic Emission...
Why exactly does thermionic emission happen? ie - Why does heating a metal cause electrons to be emitted?
I know that it must be that the heat is giving the electrons enough energy to escape from their atoms but in what form is this? ie - I know that electrons can be emitted when hit by a photon with the required energy, but what is this "heat" all about"?
Thanks.
Why exactly does thermionic emission happen? ie - Why does heating a metal cause electrons to be emitted?
I know that it must be that the heat is giving the electrons enough energy to escape from their atoms but in what form is this? ie - I know that electrons can be emitted when hit by a photon with the required energy, but what is this "heat" all about"?
Thanks.