What is the minimum energy required to eject an electron from the surface of a metal, and what factors affect this energy?
Ionization energy and atomic number of the metal
The work function of the metal and energy of incident radiation.
Binding energy and number of valence electrons
Threshold energy and kinetic energy of the incident electron
The minimum energy required to eject an electron from the surface of a metal is called the work function (denoted by ). This energy depends on the metal's properties, such as its atomic structure, crystal structure, and temperature. Additionally, the energy of the incident radiation can affect the work function, since the energy can either assist or hinder the ejection of electrons. Higher energy radiation can provide more energy to the electron, allowing it to overcome the attractive forces and escape the surface. Therefore, the correct answer is
B) Work function of the metal and energy of incident radiation.