Question
Question: Why are metals with low work function preferred as thermionic emitters? A. They emit thermions at ...
Why are metals with low work function preferred as thermionic emitters?
A. They emit thermions at low temperatures.
B. They emit thermions at high temperatures.
C. They emit thermions at room temperature.
D. None of these
Solution
To answer this question, you have a concept of what work function and thermionic emitters are, what you understand from the word emission and the relation with its temperature. Here in this question, we will understand all the points and decide which above options are the correct option.
Complete answer:
When a metal is heated, thermionic emission occurs, which is described as the liberation of electrons from the metal's surface. Thermions are the name for these electrons. We can alternatively define it as the emission of electrons in a metal when a high amount of external energy in the form of heat is delivered to free electrons.
The rate of thermionic emission is defined as the number of thermions emitted per second by a substance. Below giver are the factors in which this depends:
-Nature of the material
-Surface temperature and
-Surface area
-It also depends on the quantity of heat given to the metal as well as the metal's work function.
Thermal energy applied to charge carriers overcomes the metal surface's work function, allowing charge carriers to flow away from the metal surface. The thermions will be emitted more easily if the metal's work function is reduced. At low temperatures, metals with a low work function release thermion. As a result, thermionic emitters are made of metals with low work functions.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Note: Students should keep in mind that thermionic emission is only feasible on metal surfaces. The intensity of thermal energy delivered varies from metal to metal, causing the emission to fluctuate. The higher the metal's melting point, the higher the rate of electron emission. The basic example of thermionic emission is electrons emitted into vacuum from a heated cathode. In a vacuum tube, this is also known as heat emission or the Edison effect.