What holds conducting electrons from flying off into vacuum

[bob900]

In a conductor suspended in an external electric field, in a vacuum, what holds the conducting electrons inside the conductor? Why don't they just fly off into space, under the influence of the field? If they are free enough to move between the atoms of the conductor, this means the force from the atomic nuclei etc. is not great enough to bind them to a specific location/atom. So why is it any different at the surface?

 

[Naty1]

See here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_conduction

Simialr reason you can't jump off Earth into the upper atmosphere...insufficient energy...

Try here too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valence_band

With a strong enough electric field, you can send electrons off...

If you want more detail, try ELECTRON BINDING ENERGY

 

[ZapperZ]

In a conductor suspended in an external electric field, in a vacuum, what holds the conducting electrons inside the conductor? Why don't they just fly off into space, under the influence of the field? If they are free enough to move between the atoms of the conductor, this means the force from the atomic nuclei etc. is not great enough to bind them to a specific location/atom. So why is it any different at the surface?

While in the simplest approximation these electrons are considered to be "free electrons", in reality, they aren't! They still see the periodic potential of the ions of the metal. So in essence, they are still bounded to the metal. This is why we have the "work function".

Zz.

 

[davenn]

....
Try here too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valence_band

With a strong enough electric field, you can send electrons off...

If you want more detail, try ELECTRON BINDING ENERGY

Yes as in any sort of electronic vacuum tube. say a TV picture tube

Dave

 

[sardar]

The reason conducting electrons do not fly off into space in a vacuum is due to the presence of an electric field. In a conductor, the electrons are free to move between the atoms of the material, but they are still affected by the external electric field. This field exerts a force on the electrons, causing them to move within the conductor. However, the electrons are also bound by the positive charges of the atomic nuclei within the conductor. This creates a balance between the external electric field and the attractive force from the nuclei, keeping the electrons confined within the conductor.

At the surface of the conductor, the same balance of forces applies. While the electrons are still free to move within the material, the attractive force from the nuclei is still present. This prevents the electrons from flying off into space, even under the influence of the external electric field.

It is important to note that the strength of the attractive force from the atomic nuclei depends on the material and its properties. In some materials, the force may be strong enough to keep the electrons tightly bound, while in others, the electrons may be more loosely bound and able to move more freely. However, in all cases, the presence of an external electric field will still affect the movement of the electrons within the material.

In summary, the balance of forces between the external electric field and the attractive force of the atomic nuclei is what holds conducting electrons within a conductor in a vacuum. This allows for the flow of electricity and the properties of conductivity in materials.